Time is now "very short" for Britain and the European Union to try to strike a trade deal, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, as intensive talks begin in London.
"Time is now very short and we've been repeatedly clear that any agreement needs to be in place before the end of the transition period," he told reporters.
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If an agreement can't be reached, we will leave on Australian-style terms
"If an agreement can't be reached, we will leave on Australian-style terms," he added.
"Both sides have agreed to a genuine intensification of the negotiations with talks taking place daily, including at weekends, and both sides do recognise that time is extremely short."