Reuters reports that a German minister demanded "substantive" movement from Britain on fisheries, dispute settlement and state aid rules in post-Brexit trade.

EU affairs minister Michael Roth said the EU was working hard for a deal, but was also ready to trade from 2021 without any accord to limit tariffs or quotas.

"We are at a very critical stage in the negotiations and we are extremely under pressure. Time is running out," Roth said.

The talks are aimed at reaching a new partnership agreement with Britain on everything from trade to transport and nuclear cooperation from Jan. 1, when London's post-Brexit standstill transition has run its course. Around a trillion euros' worth of annual trade are at stake.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also said he wants to know by Oct. 15 if a deal is within reach.