HOLD ON A CHERRY PICKING MINUTE
UK told top trade deal won’t happen without freedom of movement
BRITAIN has no chance of “cherry picking” the best parts of the single market while ditching Europe’s core principles, says the EU’s chief negotiator
Michel Barnier claimed the EU were ready to offer the “most ambitious” trade deal but were not going to compromise standards on fair competition, tax, labour law, environmental and food safety.
Barnier dismissed “contradictions” of Leave supporters who say Britain can continue to enjoy the benefits of the single market, while ditching the core principle of freedom of movement.
The EU fear the UK could slash taxes after Brexit to attract business and wat er down environmental standards to secure trade deals with countries like the US.
But Barnier said the principles of the EU single market in any trade deals were “non-negotiable”.
He insisted “the UK knows the rules” because it had a big part in drawing them up. Barnier said there was a “need to ensure a level playing field between us” to prevent Britain crashing out on World Trade Organisation terms in March 2019.
He added: “There will be no ambitious partnership without common ground in fair competition, state aid, tax dumping, food safety, social and environmental standards. It is not only about rules or laws. It is about societal choices – for health, food standards, our environment and financial stability.”
At the end of the talks, parliaments around the EU and the European Parliament itself will have to ratify the proposed trade deal struck between the UK and the bloc.
Barnier added: “The UK has chosen to leave the EU. Does it want to stay close to the European model or does it want to gradually move away from it?
“The UK’s reply to this question will be important – and even decisive – because it will shape the discussion on our future partnership and shape also the conditions for ratification.”
The blast came as Theresa May came under pressure from her backbenchers not to concede any more cash in the divorce talks that have stalled negotiations so far.
No10 dismissed reports the UK could double its £20billion offer. As the PM gathered Brexit Secretary David Davis and cabinet ministers for a review yesterday, she was told voters would “go bananas” if £40billion was offered.