Berlin wants Britain’s unconditional surrender’ in Brexit talks, claims German official
Hans-Olaf Henkel's comments came hours before Brexit Secretary David Davis blasted Germans for putting 'politics before prosperity'
A BREXIT BATTLE erupted as a German official warned Britain that Berlin wants the UK’s “unconditional surrender” in EU talks.
A former head of Germany’s largest trade body said Angela Merkel wanted Theresa May to cave in on a divorce bill for Brussels – and the terms of an interim post-Brexit trade deal.
Hans-Olaf Henkel said: “If I were to use a military term, what they want is unconditional surrender.”
The incendiary comments came hours before Brexit Secretary David Davis arrived in Berlin to blast the Germans for putting “politics before prosperity” in the Brexit negotiations.
And he urged an audience of business leaders to help Britain break the Brexit deadlock – and secure a “transitional” period between Brexit in 2019 and a new future trade agreement.
Mr Davis said: “Bilateral trade between the United Kingdom and Germany is worth a total of 176 billion euros a year.
“That’s more than a thousand euros to every man, woman and child in each of our countries.
“My message to you is that when it comes to an implementation period, and our economic partnership, you are not detached observers.
“You are essential participants.”
The salvo came 24 hours after the Sun revealed Theresa May is preparing to promise to cough up a further £20 billion for Brussels to kick-start trade talks.
Brexit bosses in Whitehall hope the offer means talks about the future relationship can finally be given the green light when all EU leaders meet on December 14.
Sources in Brussels claim the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is only going to offer Britain a limited Canada-style free trade deal that would hammer the City of London.
Mr Barnier last week issued Britain with a 14-day deadline to offer a cash settlement. The row came just a month after European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker sparked outrage by telling Britain: “Thanks for the war … but now you have to pay up.”
Referring to Brussels’ eye-watering demands for a mammoth divorce bill, he said: “I am not hating the British.
“The Europeans have to be grateful for so many things Britain has brought to Europe, during war, before war, after war, everywhere and every time.
“But now they have to pay.”
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