UK's Johnson in 'strong position' for trade talks with EU, but must be honest about the 'trade-offs': analyst British Prime minister Boris Johnson "is in a very strong position" as the UK leaves the EU and enters a transition period in which it will try to negotiate a trade deal with the bloc. To avoid extending this transition period Johnson will have to complete the deal before the next cliff-edge, which may require an agreement that sees "starters agreed but choosing the main courses later", says political analyst Jill Rutter, warning that the government will have to be "up front with the British public about the trade-offs". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES