A post-Brexit trade deal is “unlikely”, the EU’s chief negotiator has said as talks between Britain and Brussels ended in a stalemate.

Michel Barnier said the EU and UK have until “October at the latest” to strike a deal or risk the imposition of quotas and tariffs adding that there is “objectively” a risk of the UK and EU not reaching an agreement.

The UK’s chief negotiator, David Frost, said talks have not yet reached any agreement following intensified discussions between the two sides.

His EU counterpart Michel Barnier warned the “time for answers is quickly running out”, as he said: “By its current refusal to commit to the condition of open and fair competition, and to a balanced agreement on fisheries, the UK makes a trade agreement at this point unlikely.”

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“Quite objectively that is the case, as long as the UK’s positions on two very important issues that are at the heart of our interests and our requests on the EU side – ie the level playing field is important to all 27 members, to the whole economy of the EU and secondly on fisheries.

“Well as long as we have a blockage on the UK side on these two issues, until there is reciprocal openness from the UK side to the openness I have shown on the EU side where there were UK interests at stake, well then there is objectively a no-deal risk.”

The UK’s transition period for leaving the EU is due to lapse at the end of December, and both sides have said any trade deal needs to be concluded by October in order to be ratified.

Mr Frost said “considerable gaps remain in the most difficult areas” following the latest round of talks in London.

He added: “It is unfortunately clear that we will not reach in July the ‘early understanding on the principles underlying any agreement’ that was set as an aim at the high-level meeting on June 15.”

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Mr Frost said the risk of a no-deal scenario remains.

He said: “We have made progress in areas like trade, trade of goods and services, transport, social security cooperation, EU programmes, participation and so on, which is good.

“If we do not reach an agreement on our future partnership there will be far more friction.

“For instance, on trading goods, in addition to new customs formalities there will be tariffs and quotas.

“This is the truth of Brexit"

Michel Barnier

“But nevertheless big differences do remain, in particular with the familiar questions of the… so-called level playing field and fisheries policy.

“We’re in a negotiation. Either outcome is possible. We will work energetically to get a deal but it is possible we won’t reach one.”

He said a deal “can still be reached in September” if the EU side moves, but he warned Brussels will have to accept the UK’s right to be an “independent state” for this to be achieved.

BrexitEU negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK’s position on fisheries is ‘unacceptable’ (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Speaking at a press conference in London, Mr Barnier said the UK’s position on fisheries is “simply unacceptable”.

He said: “The UK is effectively seeking for near-total exclusion of fishing vessels from the UK’s water.

Mr Barnier also said considerable gaps remain between the UK and EU on the so-called “level playing field” arrangements.

He added: “This week again the UK did not show a willingness to break the deadlock.

“On the level playing field, the UK still refuses to commit to maintaining high standards in a meaningful way. On state aid, despite a clear warning in the political declaration, very clear, we have made no progress at all.

“This is all the more worrying because we have no visibility on the UK’s intention on its future domestic subsidy control system and regime.”

Mr Barnier continued: “In June the Prime Minister Boris Johnson told us that he wanted to reach a political agreement quickly.

“The Prime Minister also stated three red lines.

“Number one – no role for the European Court of Justice in the UK.

“Number two – the right to determine future UK laws without constraints.

“Number three – an agreement on fisheries that shows that Brexit makes a real difference compared to the existing situation.”

He said the EU had engaged “sincerely”, adding: “Over the past few weeks the UK has not shown the same level of engagement and readiness to find solutions respecting the EU fundamental principles and interests.”

Mr Barnier said the EU and UK have until “October at the latest” to strike a deal or risk the imposition of quotas and tariffs.

“If we do not reach an agreement on our future partnership there will be far more friction.

“For instance, on trading goods, in addition to new customs formalities there will be tariffs and quotas.

“This is the truth of Brexit… and I will continue to tell the truth.

“If we want to avoid this additional friction we must come to an agreement in October at the latest so that our new treaty can enter into force on January 1 next year.

“This means that we only a few weeks left and that we should not waste it.”

A senior UK Government official involved in the talks, when asked about whether the talks were closer to breakdown or breakthrough, said: “I think we are potentially closer to both, to be honest – I think it is hard to quantify.

“I can quite see how we can make a breakthrough relatively quickly if they do adjust their position in the most important areas and, if they don’t, we won’t.

“It really is in their hands to a large extent and it is related to the fundamental principles in these few areas.”

On the prospect of a deal, they added: “I think it can be done, there is a way to do it, I can see how it can be done (but) you cannot be sure we will get there.”