UK ready to 'draw stumps' on Brexit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there may be a time when Britain should call an end to post-Brexit trade talks, a day after agreeing to meet the European Commission head in a last-ditch attempt to break the stalemate.

With just over three weeks before Britain completes its journey out of the bloc, Johnson is due to meet European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen in the coming days after negotiators failed to close the gaps in talks.

Both sides have called on the other to compromise to get a deal over the line, but neither has been forthcoming.

Yesterday, Britain repeated its red lines in the talks, as did France, which has taken a particularly tough line among EU members. While a senior British government source said there was "every chance we are not going to get there," French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune said Paris would oppose any agreement that "sacrifices" its fishermen.

Since Britain left the European Union in January, the two sides have been stuck over three issues, raising the prospect of what many businesses say is their nightmare scenario - no agreement to govern around US$1 trillion (HK$7.8 trillion) in annual trade.

Asked if he would try to do a deal right up until the wire, Johnson told reporters: "Yeah of course."

"We're always hopeful but you know there may come a moment when we have to acknowledge that it's time to draw stumps and that's just the way it is," said Johnson, using a cricketing term for the end of play.

"We will prosper mightily under any version and if we have to go for an Australian solution then that's fine too," he added.