back in march i think it was french president emmanuel michel invited merkel and the european commission president jean-claude juncker to paris to meet with seeds in paying to sort of send a message europe is united on china we can't be divided and going to beijing at this time after this year of reforms investment screening to protect german and european companies from chinese chinese acquisitions to go there with a large contingent of german c.e.o.'s to put the focus back on business i think some of germany's partners in europe may be questioning you know where whether the priority whether america's priorities are in the right place in the backdrop what you're telling us there is there is what is often described by commentators and pundits as a sea change in relations but with china in the last couple of years china is becoming more globally ambitious china becoming more dangerous pops yeah well i think we've seen this here in germany back in 2016 we had this the acquisition of this german robotics maker kuka and that kind of was a wake up call for a lot of people in germany also in eu

of the british government is to try and square of the key players, jean—claude juncker, michel barnier, emmanuel there is much more chance when the proposals are on the table and all 27 have to look at it, that they will get left off. that's why i think you are getting this slow lifting of the veil about what the government is thinking about, the sort of softly, softly strategy, to avoid the whole proposals getting blown out the water. the bottom line is time is 110w water. the bottom line is time is now short. sooner or later, the british government will have to show its hand and there are signs the eu really wa nts its hand and there are signs the eu really wants us to do that quickly. finland's prime minister saying it is 12 days or it is all over? number ten saying they will not respond to these artificial deadlines and i think to be honest, most people think to be honest, most people think it is an artificial deadline, because at the end of the day, the eu are as keen for a deal as we are and the idea they willjust shut up shop at the end of september and say, that's it, we will not try any

ministers had with emmanuel macron and angela merkel, that the withdrawal agreement that the state was a block of marble could not be altered, is not capable of being changed. i don't think michelt memo, perhaps! certainly, what the government is trying to put across is that there are still trying to get a deal for the european union. we heard keir starmer saying that if they are trying to do that, then why are we not hearing those noises from the european union? for the government this week, the big challenge is whether or not mps managed to pass that legislation. if they do, boris johnson would be in a position where he would have to ask the eu for an extension. that is why there are lots of rumours about woody grew for a general election? time is on the essence. we don't have a lot of time in parliament for mps to do what they want to do. there are also court cases going on. there is lots going on that could hinder the government's games. the government is saying that they don't want to know deal brexit but they are planning for it. we had this advertising campaign that is being launched this week, michael gove is behind that one, telling people about what to expect in a new

had with emmanuel macron and angela merkel, that the withdrawal agreement that they stated was a block of marble and could not be altered, is now capable of being changed. i don't think that michelmemo. we do not know what is going on behind—the—scenes. but the government say they are trying to get a deal with the european union but we have heard from keir starmer about that. he is saying why are we not heeding noises from the european union about that? -- noises from the european union about that? —— hearing. there are lots of rumours about would borisjohnson go for a general election and there is a vote of no confidence and we do not have a lot of time in parliament for mps to do what they are going to do. there are also court cases going on. lots going on that could hinder the government's aims. and also the government is saying that they do not want a no—deal brexit but they are obviously planning for it and we have this advert campaign this week, that is being launched this week. michael gove is behind that one. it is all about telling people what to expect in a no—deal brexit. i was having a look at itjust before and it is almost like a question and answer. have you got pe

there was talk about movement from angela merkel, and the meeting with emmanuel macron left boris johnson feeling buoyed, but then michelone european capitals that borisjohnson was someone they could engage with and who was talking about wanting a deal, so there was a positive momentum there, but what that has led to is as the european commission says, is a channel, which simply says, is a channel, which simply says an opening for talks, and at the same time the eu outside have not budged their position and that is what michel barnier was stressing again —— the eu side. he has said the red lines remain intact for the eu and the irish border provisions, something has to deliver the same benefits. and we havejust something has to deliver the same benefits. and we have just heard from the irish prime minister, speaking, saying he had to stand and defend those irish border ideas, likely backstop, to keep the board open, so nothing has shifted in the position of the eu, other than they are sitting ready to discuss any new ideas coming from the uk government, but nothing table jet —— the board are open. thanks forjoining us.