British and EU officials are still working hard at this “crucial moment” in Brexit trade talks, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Dec. 20, with only days left before the Brexit transition period is set to end on Dec. 31. Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost have been struggling to break the deadlock, even with intervention by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “In this crucial moment for the EU-GB negotiations, we continue to work hard with @DavidGHFrost and his team,” he wrote on Twitter. “The EU remains committed to a fair, reciprocal & balanced agreement. We respect the sovereignty of the UK. And we expect the same,” he said. “Both EU&GB must have the right to set their own laws & control their own waters. And we should both be able to act when our interests are at stake.” Both …