Ireland says Brexit trade talks timeline 'virtually impossible'

FILE PHOTO: Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney speaks to media in a count centre, during Ireland's national election, in Cork, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The coronavirus pandemic has made an already difficult timeline for a British-European Union trade deal "virtually impossible", Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said, cautioning that he did wish to raise expectations of London seeking more time.

Tortuous Brexit talks, now focused on setting new trading terms from 2021 when London's status-quo transition period after Brexit ends, quickly hit an impasse when they resumed last month, according to EU diplomats and officials.