The UK was adamant throughout the negotiations that it be treated as a sovereign equal of the EU and have its independence respected. This was particularly important when it came to fishing rights – one of the last issues to be resolved.
The French leader's visit to London came on the 80th anniversary of a famous speech made by French Resistance leader Charles de Gaulle in a BBC radio broadcast directed at people in Nazi-occupied France.
According to British government figures, trade between the two countries totalled 31.4 billion pounds last year, with 9,500 UK-based businesses exporting goods to Japan.
The end of year deadline was always considered an ambitious goal but now borders across the 27-nation bloc have been shut and entire countries placed in lockdown.
The first round of negotiations is set to last until Thursday.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly expressed his ambition for a "massive" trade deal with the US.
Negotiations are due to begin in Brussels on March 2.
The UK formally left the EU on January 31 and is now in a pre-agreed period of transition during which it is free to open up trade talks with countries around the world.
The UK formally left the EU on January 31 and is now in a pre-agreed period of transition during which it is free to open up trade talks with countries around the world.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the issue was settled with a public vote that was held in 2014 when 55 per cent rejected independence.
