British Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatened to quit Brexit talks, reiterating that a no-deal exit would be a “good outcome for the UK.” He gave an October 15 deadline for the post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union.

This week, London will host the eighth round of negotiations between the UK and the European Union.

“There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it’s going to be in force by the end of the year,” he said in remarks released by his office.

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While the UK maintains that agreement would be possible only if EU negotiators are prepared to rethink their current positions, the EU has accused Britain of failing to negotiate seriously.

“So, there is no sense in thinking beyond that point. If we can’t agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us,” Johnson said.

Earlier, Johnson had promised to work harder towards achieving a deal with the European Union.

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“We will have full control over our laws, our rules, and our fishing waters. We will have the freedom to do trade deals with every country in the world. And we will prosper mightily as a result,” he had pledged.

Britain formally left the 27-member bloc on January 31, nearly four years after a divisive referendum that crippled the country politically and saw two prime ministers resign.