Ministers from the EU will meet later to approve their mandate for post-Brexit trade talks with the UK.
The document approved by the EU General Affairs Council on Tuesday morning will be the basis for future negotiations, to be carried out by Michel Barnier.
It will say that a trade deal should be based on EU rules in some areas as “a reference point”.
Meanwhile, UK ministers will also meet at No 10 to discuss the government’s opening stance for negotiations.
The final agreement is due to be published online and presented in Parliament on Thursday.