Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement that leaving the post-Brexit transition period without a trade deal would be “a good outcome”, the IEA’s Academic and Research Director Professor Syed Kamall  argued that negotiating with the EU required a certain degree of obstinacy.

Quoted by City AM, Syed said: “Experienced negotiators will tell you that you have to give the impression that you are prepared to walk away from negotiations, whether it be a contractor who gives you an outrageous initial quote or negotiations between trade unions and company bosses.

“During my years in Brussels, I saw the European Parliament walk away from negotiations with the European Commission and the Council, only to be called back to the table at a later date and resume negotiations to reach a deal.”

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