France Floats Veto Threat Over Brexit Deal As EU Feels Strains (BBG)

A BBG sources piece has noted that "France warned it could veto a trade deal between the U.K. and the European Union if it doesn't like the terms, piling pressure on the EU negotiating team not to make further concessions as talks build to a climax. At a meeting of the bloc's 27 ambassadors on Wednesday, the French envoy warned chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier of how bad it would look if he brokered a deal only to see it vetoed by EU leaders... Barnier swerved a request from ambassadors to see key parts of the text before it's finished, with some of those present voicing concerns he might be giving too much away and leaving them with too little time to scrutinize any agreement."

• A reminder that France has been one of the hardliners in the Brexit process, and recent press reports from other outlets had noted that Barnier had been under pressure not to give away too much in the latest round of Brexit talks.