Extension would ease uncertainty, IMF's Georgieva says, but Britain remains committed to Dec. 31 date

The IMF has suggested the UK and the EU should not "add to uncertainty" from coronavirus by refusing to extend the period to negotiate a post-Brexit trade deal.

The U.K. and the European Union would be “wise not to add more” to the uncertainty from the coronavirus by refusing to extend the deadline of their Brexit trade deal negotiations, the head of the International Monetary Fund told the BBC.

The coronavirus has increased the challenges of negotiating a new trade agreement for the UK before December 31.

Britain is due to face more disruption to its trade with the European Union when it introduces new post-Brexit customs checks on Jan. 1, the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, said on Tuesday.