Britain’s military could be key to breaking Brussels’ hardline Brexit position and securing a bumper trade deal
Three EU diplomats told The Sun they view future British cooperation on defence as crucial to trade talks
BRITAIN’S military prowess could still provide the key to breaking Brussels’ hardline Brexit position and secure a bumper trade deal, EU diplomats have revealed.
Senior Eurocrats have told The Sun future defence cooperation will be a “very big bargaining chip” for the UK in the upcoming trade negotiations.
Despite the funding black hole that has sparked a frontline crisis, Britain is still seen as Europe’s number one military power and is also renowned for having the continent’s best intelligence agencies.
Many EU states, especially those bordering Russia, are worried about losing a major partner after Brexit and will push hard for close defence ties.
The revelation was leaped on by Tory MPs to redouble their calls on Theresa May to increase spending on our armed forces as part on an ongoing Whitehall review into our military capability.
Former soldier Leo Docherty told The Sun: “Our military is the finest in the world, but it cannot be done on the cheap.”
Fellow vet and Tory MP Johnny Mercer said: “this is a key reason for No10 and No11 to stump up more cash to keep our world-beating reputation.”
Mr Docherty added: “Lest we forget that this review is response to the increased threats we face - and those threats are real - but tackling them cannot come at a cost to conventional defence.”
Mrs May has promised the UK is “unconditionally” committed to the EU’s security after an attempt to link future cooperation to trade backfired.
But despite this EU countries privately anticipate that British negotiators will use the issue to secure better Brexit terms.
The PM suggested in her Article 50 letter in March that failure to reach good deal would weaken defence links, prompting outrage from high-profile MEPs.
But officials from the EU27 countries have taken a much softer line, accepting that the UK needs to maximise its hand in the talks.
Three diplomats told The Sun that they view securing future British cooperation on defence as a key aim in the second phase of the negotiations.
All agreed that suggestions the UK’s influence in the world will be significantly diminished by Brexit are “exaggerated”.
One diplomat conceded: “Defence is going to be a very big bargaining chip for Britain.”
Ministers have already hinted that, alongside ongoing NATO commitments, Britain is prepared to pay into a planned £5billion EU defence fund after Brexit.
They have also left open the possibility of the UK continuing to support joint European missions and putting defence and security assets at the bloc’s disposal.
A second diplomat said: “When you talk about security and defence the British have a lot to give to us in exchange. Both sides are very much in favour of continuing cooperation.”
Britain has beefed up its military presence in Eastern Europe recently in response to the threat posed by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A third diplomat said: “The UK is very strong in defence. This is definitely not about who will win or emerge stronger. It’s about making the best deal possible.”
Brussels has ambitious plans to boost the EU’s military capabilities but is being hampered by the fact many member states under-spend defence.
Germany’s prospective new coalition Government will dedicate just 1.06 per cent of GDP to defence, significantly below the two per cent target set by NATO.