German bosses warn PM over Brexit deal

GERMAN business leaders have cast doubt on ministers’ claims that the country’s manufacturers will help secure a Brexit trade deal, instead warning Theresa May it will be “extraordinarily difficult” to protect UK industry.

Ministers have frequently claimed that German carmakers, along with other key European industries such as French farmers and winemakers, would lobby their governments to agree a comprehensive deal which maintains tariff-free trade between the UK and the other 27 EU member states.

But the leaders of two of Germany’s main business organisation said the priority for them was maintaining the integrity of the single market for the 27 remaining EU members.

Dieter Kempf, president of the BDI, the federation of German industries, told the Observer: “Europe must maintain the integrity of the Single Market and its four freedoms – goods, capital, services, and labour.

“It is the responsibility of the British Government to limit the damage on both sides of the Channel. Over coming months, it will be extraordinarily difficult to avert negative effects on British businesses in particular.”

Ingo Kramer, president of the confederation of German employers’ associations (BDA), told the newspaper: “The Single Market is one of the major assets of the EU. The UK will remain a very important partner for us, but we need a fair deal for both sides.”

Their intervention comes after the Prime Minister received a boost at the G20 summit, with US President Donald Trump highlighting the prospect of a trade deal with the UK.