EU chiefs warn Britain not to take part in trade talks with US or face punishing sanctions as White House officials kick start future deals
Donald Trump's aides confirm work will start this week to support Theresa May in pursuing a hard Brexit
EU chiefs warned Britain to step back from trade talks with the US or face punishing sanctions as White House officials fired the starting gun on a future UK/US future deal.
Donald Trump’s aides confirmed work would begin this week on a deal which would support Theresa May in pursuing a hard Brexit.
But an official EU Commission spokesman warned the treaty rules “were very clear” saying there can be discussions on an agreement but nothing more concrete.
Ahead of her historic visit to the US this week, officials said Theresa May planned to visit China “relatively soon” in a bid to strengthen links between the nations.
Asked yesterday if there would be repercussions for EU countries taking part in trade negotiations, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said deals were an “exclusive matter for the EU”.
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He added: “I want to be clear there is nothing in the Treaties which precludes you from discussing trade [with another country].
“But the treaty is very clear, you can be part of an EU trade agreement if you are a member of the EU and that is clear.
“When you leave the EU, you leave also the trade agreements for the EU.”
It came as the new American President yesterday formally pulled the US out of the 12 nation Trans Pacific Partnership – only signed last year by Barack Obama.
During his campaign Mr Trump pledged to rip up the trade deal with countries like Canada and Australia which lowered tariffs between the nations.