As EU raises Brexit trade hurdles, Boris Johnson looks to Africa

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the U.K.’s burgeoning trade links with Africa as “the future” in a thinly disguised warning to the European Union ahead of the start of new negotiations with the bloc.

In recent days, EU officials have told Johnson they won’t give him the sweeping free trade deal he wants unless he extends his deadline beyond the end of this year and agrees to strict conditions to retain key single market rules.

Johnson’s response has been blunt: the U.K. isn’t interested in closely aligning with EU market regulations, won’t extend the negotiations beyond Dec. 31, and has already made “extensive preparations” for negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal with the U.S.

On Monday, the prime minister made clear Africa is also high on his priority list.

“Africa is the future and the U.K. has a huge and active role to play in that future,” Johnson said as he addressed the U.K.-Africa Investment Summit in London. “We want to build a new future as a global free trading nation.” He also appeared to encourage new migrant workers to the U.K., announcing that “one thing is changing: our immigration system.”

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