Business leaders urge May to accelerate Brexit talks

LONDON — Business leaders from both sides of the English Channel urged Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday to accelerate talks on Britain’s exit from the European Union as uncertainty about future trade relations threatens jobs and investment.

European business leaders are urging Britain to make concrete proposals on the so-called divorce issues so the negotiations can move forward. The EU has refused to discuss trade until there is agreement on Britain’s financial obligations, citizens’ rights and the Irish border.

Industry groups from Germany, France, Britain and other EU countries deployed representatives to London amid concern that time is running out to ensure more than $719 billion of trade keeps flowing smoothly after the U.K. leaves the bloc in March 2019.

“Business is extremely concerned with the slow pace of negotiations and the lack of progress,” said Emma Marcegaglia, president of Businesseurope, an umbrella organization of business lobbies. “Business aims to avoid a cliff edge and therefore asks for a ‘status quo-like’ transitional arrangement with the U.K. staying in the customs union and the single market as this will best provide citizens and businesses with greater certainty.”

May had pledged to outline her hopes for a “bold and deep economic partnership” after Brexit. A statement from her office later expressed her commitment to giving businesses “the certainty they need by agreeing a time-limited implementation period as soon as possible.”

In a concession Monday, Brexit secretary David Davis told Parliament that lawmakers would be given a vote on the withdrawal agreement between Britain and the EU that will be enshrined into British domestic law.