EU's Tusk says UK call for immediate trade talks 'will not happen'

VALLETTA: EU president Donald Tusk on Friday rebuffed British Prime Minister Theresa May's call for talks on its divorce and a future trade deal to start in parallel.

"Starting parallel talks on all issues at the same time as suggested by some in the UK will not happen," Tusk said in Malta as he revealed his Brexit negotiating guidelines.

"Once and only once we have achieved sufficient progress on the withdrawal can we discuss the framework for our future relationship."