This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
As the UK's departure from the EU draws near, the European Union has set up a team to oversee post-Brexit relations with the UK. The team, led by Michel Barnier, will be responsible for negotiating a trade deal with the UK.
On October 22, 2019, the Commission announced that Barnier's 'Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom' would be a merger of his team that negotiated the withdrawal agreement and the EU's 'Brexit preparedness' team.
According to the Commission, the team will take effect on November 16, 2019, regardless of the outcome of the UK's general election. This move comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid to take Britain out of the EU at the end of the month remains uncertain.
