EU's Barnier steps up Brexit trade warning to UK
- 7 years ago
The EU’s stance on Brexit “hasn’t been fully understood in the UK”.
So says the Commission’s chief negotiator, rejecting British calls for “frictionless trade” after the UK leaves the European Union.
UK government ministers have talked of wanting to achieve terms as close as possible to current arrangements.
But Michel Barnier told an EU business forum in Brussels that London’s “red lines” on future relations implied leaving the single market and customs union.
“I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits – that is not possible. I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve ‘frictionless trade’ – that is not possible. The decision to leave the EU has consequences,” he said.
“A fair deal is far better than no deal,” he added, turning on its head Theresa May’s phrase – repeated in the Conservative Party’s recent election manifesto – that no deal was better than a bad deal for Britain.
In a classic negotiation ‘no deal’=status quo. #Brexit ‘no deal’=return to distant past, which we all should avoid https://t.co/0ZXEObSAWX— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 6, 2017
The EU’s negotiator gave details of economic sectors at risk, implying that UK farm exports to the EU would be subject to border controls and sanitary checks.
Barnier statements on Brexit all confirmation of known EU position, except for comment on 100% of farm produce requiring checks.— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) July 6, 2017
Barnier also warned that new constraints could hit the Airbus factory in Wales, highlighting its reliance on skilled labour from the continent and the smooth delivery of parts to France and Germany.
In response, Britain’s foreign secretary repeated his confident view that the country’s aims were achievable.
“There is an important distinction between membership of the single market and having access to the single market. I think what all sides want to see is a great free trade deal that benefits both sides of the Channel. That’s manifestly in the interests of the UK but it’s also in the interests of our European friends and partners. I have absolutely no doubt we will be able to get there,” he said at a joint news conference in London with the Ukrainian prime minister.
The prime minister’s office was quoted as saying that talks had only just started, and that trade as fluid as possible between the UK and the EU after Brexit was in both sides’ interests.
Working visit to port Zeebrugge, hub of single market. #brexit will affect some regions and sectors more GeertBourgeois jvanovertveldt pic.twitter.com/hVghuvbDA4— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 6, 2017
So says the Commission’s chief negotiator, rejecting British calls for “frictionless trade” after the UK leaves the European Union.
UK government ministers have talked of wanting to achieve terms as close as possible to current arrangements.
But Michel Barnier told an EU business forum in Brussels that London’s “red lines” on future relations implied leaving the single market and customs union.
“I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits – that is not possible. I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve ‘frictionless trade’ – that is not possible. The decision to leave the EU has consequences,” he said.
“A fair deal is far better than no deal,” he added, turning on its head Theresa May’s phrase – repeated in the Conservative Party’s recent election manifesto – that no deal was better than a bad deal for Britain.
In a classic negotiation ‘no deal’=status quo. #Brexit ‘no deal’=return to distant past, which we all should avoid https://t.co/0ZXEObSAWX— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 6, 2017
The EU’s negotiator gave details of economic sectors at risk, implying that UK farm exports to the EU would be subject to border controls and sanitary checks.
Barnier statements on Brexit all confirmation of known EU position, except for comment on 100% of farm produce requiring checks.— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) July 6, 2017
Barnier also warned that new constraints could hit the Airbus factory in Wales, highlighting its reliance on skilled labour from the continent and the smooth delivery of parts to France and Germany.
In response, Britain’s foreign secretary repeated his confident view that the country’s aims were achievable.
“There is an important distinction between membership of the single market and having access to the single market. I think what all sides want to see is a great free trade deal that benefits both sides of the Channel. That’s manifestly in the interests of the UK but it’s also in the interests of our European friends and partners. I have absolutely no doubt we will be able to get there,” he said at a joint news conference in London with the Ukrainian prime minister.
The prime minister’s office was quoted as saying that talks had only just started, and that trade as fluid as possible between the UK and the EU after Brexit was in both sides’ interests.
Working visit to port Zeebrugge, hub of single market. #brexit will affect some regions and sectors more GeertBourgeois jvanovertveldt pic.twitter.com/hVghuvbDA4— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 6, 2017