‘Wishful thinking for May to win trade deal in two years’

THERESA May’s hope of securing a free trade agreement within the twoyear Brexit deadline is “out of the question”, a veteran Brussels insider has said.

Former European Commission vicepresident Viviane Reding said it was wishful thinking on the Prime Minister’s part to believe that a trade agreement could be reached within the timeframe set out under the Article 50 process.

Mrs May wants to secure a trade deal alongside the UK’s “divorce” settlement from Brussels during the two years allowed under Article 50.

But Ms Reding, now an MEP for Luxembourg, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “Two years is out of the question. It is completely wishful thinking and unrealistic.”

She also indicated that voters in Europe were “fed up” about Brexit and the issue was not a “top priority”.

She said: “They are really fed up because they feel that a British problem is forced on us. It is not our problem, Brexit, we have never asked for this. It is also not our priority. It seems to be the British top priority.”

Former UK diplomats also highlighted the tight timetable for Brexit talks, with the need for the European Parliament to ratify any deal and domestic elections in countries including Germany limiting the time for negotiations. With Mrs May not expected to trigger Article 50 until late March, EU leaders will not consider their response until mid- to late April.