EU chief rejects Johnson's idea of loose UK trade deal
The European Union will only offer Britain unique access to its vast single market if the U.K. agrees to stick to the bloc's standards, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday, dismissing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's idea of brokering a loose trade deal with the EU.
Von der Leyen said she was surprised Johnson even raised the possibility that Britain would accept Australia-style trade arrangements, including quotas and tariffs, if his government can't reach a comprehensive agreement with the EU. She criticized Johnson's plan Tuesday in front of a small audience at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
