Boris Johnson will hold talks with the head of the EU Commission – a day after she began legal action over his plan to potentially override the Brexit deal.
Ursula von der Leyen and the prime minister are due to talk on Saturday afternoon.
A Number 10 spokesperson said it is to “take stock of negotiations and discuss next steps”.
While the pair will likely be focusing on trade talks to hammer out an agreement before the transition period runs out at the end of 2020, Ms von der Leyen’s action yesterday will inevitably feature.
She accused Mr Johnson of breaching the “good faith” part of the withdrawal agreement, by drawing up a plan to override it in the event trade talks are unsuccessful.
A minister has admitted the move would break international law.
Before Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen’s call, the UK and EU’s two chief trade negotiators – Lord David Frost and Michel Barnier – will meet today.
