Key dates as clock ticks down to Brexit -------------------------------------------- Britain left the EU in January but has until the end of 2020 to forge a post-Brexit trade deal with the bloc, during a so-called transition period. Both sides have said an agreement needs to be in place by October -------------------------------------------- Transition period 2020 JAN Jan 31: UK formally leaves EU. Start of transition period. UK-EU relations virtually unchanged to allow time to agree trade deal -------------------------------------------- FEB -------------------------------------------- MAR Mar 2-5: First round of talks on future UK-EU relationship -------------------------------------------- APR Apr-Jun: Negotiations take place virtually due to coronavirus pandemic -------------------------------------------- MAY -------------------------------------------- JUN Jun: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson rules out any extension to transition period beyond Dec 31. In-person meetings resume after UK and EU agree to step up negotiations -------------------------------------------- JUL -------------------------------------------- AUG Aug: Two sides remain deadlocked, with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier saying chance of deal is “slipping away” -------------------------------------------- SEP Sep 8-10: Eighth round of Brexit talks. Sticking points include fishing rights and state aid rules Sep 9: UK planning new legislation that could contradict 2019 UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement, in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs Sep 28-Oct 2: Ninth round of talks scheduled -------------------------------------------- OCT Oct 15-16: European Council summit. De facto deadline for deal, given need for ratification by year-end -------------------------------------------- NOV Nov/early Dec: Possible date for special EU summit to sign off on deal -------------------------------------------- DEC Dec 10-11: European Council summit -------------------------------------------- 2021 JAN Jan 1: If no deal is reached, trade reverts to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, with likelihood of tariffs and checks on goods between UK and EU -------------------------------------------- Sources: Associated Press, BBC, ING Bank, Reuters Pictures: AP © GRAPHIC NEWS