A trade deal with the EU can be done this week, but it won’t be a smooth ride

There is much as stake, and Johnson will be keen to get rid of the Brexit albatross and put his administration and the country back in track, writes Sean O’Grady

Disagreement over fishing quotas is one the hurdles facing negotiators this week (EPA)

The EU heads of government summit on Thursday marks yet another deadline by which the new free trade agreement will have to be ready for its first stage approval by the various presidents, prime ministers and chancellors of the 27 member states.  

It will then take some weeks to be translated and ratified by the many national and regional assemblies of the 27, plus the European parliament and, of course, the House of Commons.  

Any objections will then have to smoothed out, again taking time. All, including consequent domestic laws and regulations, will need to be operational by 1 January. It is a tall order.