No-trade deal Brexit now more likely than a deal, Ursula von der Leyen tells EU leaders

After British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday there was “a strong possibility” a deal would not be clinched, von der Leyen said the probability of a no-deal had risen

"The probability of a no deal is higher than of a deal,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the message von der Leyen gave leaders at an EU summit in Brussels Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Britain is now more likely to leave the European Union’s orbit on December 31 without a trade deal than with an agreement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the bloc’s 27 national leaders on Friday, an EU official said.

The United Kingdom quit the EU in January but remains an informal member until December 31 when it will finally leave the bloc’s orbit after 48 years. Both sides say they want a trade deal but negotiations are deadlocked.