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The following agreements are still under discussion with countries that have already concluded trade agreements with the EU. Updated, as the EU has informed countries with which it has concluded trade agreements that EU trade agreements can continue to apply to the UK during the transition period. Any trade agreement aims to reduce tariffs and remove other barriers to trade that come into force. It will also aim to cover both goods and services. All UK trade statistics have been updated to correct an error. Despite British Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s insistence on a deal before October 15, no deal has been reached. In early September, chief negotiators met informally in London to discuss their lack of progress, but there was “no breakthrough”. [47] Both parties argue that it is increasingly unlikely that an agreement can be reached before the expiry of the time limit. [48] Johnson stated on September 7 that there would be no agreement if no agreement was reached by October 15. [49] Mr Barnier had already stated on 26 August that an agreement had to be reached before 31 October so that the Council and the two parliaments could ratify it in good time (at the end of December). [50] The August round of negotiations ended on August 21, with “little progress.” [44] The EU`s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, stressed the short time remaining and said it was “unlikely” that an agreement could be reached. [44] British chief negotiator David Frost said: “A deal is still possible and that is still our goal, but it is clear that it will not be easy to reach it.