Britain and the European Union appeared close to clinching a long-elusive trade agreement on Wednesday, raising hopes that the estranged allies were now set to avoid a turbulent economic rupture on New Year’s Day. A general view of the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium December 23, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna Geron A reporter with Britain’s Daily Mail said a deal had already been done, and rumours flew that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would make an announcement on Wednesday evening. But there was no official confirmation from either side that the months of tortuous negotiations had reached a conclusion. A source at the EU’s executive Commission said talks were still underway – though in their “final stages” – and one EU official cautioned against excluding the risk of a “no deal” scenario on Jan. 1, saying: “It could still go either way.” A British government source was […]