Sefcovic: EU 'Patience Wearing Thin' With UK

Comments emerging from EU Commission VP Maros Sefcovic following his meeting with UK Cabinet Office minister Lord Frost earlier today. Much more downbeat in tone compared to Frost's more neutral remarks.

• Says that the EU is "at a crossroads with our relationship with the UK. Trust needs to be restored". Says EU will react "swiftly, firmly and resolutely" if grace period on chilled meat trade from GB to NI is extended unilaterally.
• Says EU will look at "the suspension of cooperation in certain sectors" and "tariffs could come into play", adding: "Our patience is wearing thin and therefore we have to assess all options… of course we are talking about cross retaliation, we do not want this to happen".
• Sefcovic says it is hard to understand why the UK will not support a Swiss-style sanitary and phytosanitary agreement when that is what businesses in Northern Ireland want. Says that it is 'tangible, credible, easy to do and could be accomplished very quickly'. Says that on the UK side "ideology prevails over what's good and important"