May’s hope of bespoke trade deal with EU dealt blow by Barnier
THE European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has dealt a blow to Theresa May’s hopes of a bespoke trade deal with Brussels.
The Prime Minister has said her plans for Brexit will not be “derailed” and will result in a “deep and special partnership” with the EU.
Mrs May has insisted the UK does not want a Norway-style relationship with the EU, which would involve remaining in the single market, and desires closer ties than a Canadianstyle trade deal would allow.
But Brussels’ negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU “won’t mix up the various scenarios to create a specific one and accommodate their wishes”.
In an interview with Prospect magazine, conducted before EU leaders agreed to move on to the second stage of Brexit talks covering trade and an implementation period, Mr Barnier said: “The most difficult part remains to be done. It is also probably the most interesting. But the British have to understand it cannot be business as usual.
“We are ready to start working with the government on the three axes it has indicated: exit from the Union, exit from the single market, exit from the customs union. But the clock is ticking. The deadline of March 29, 2019 is their own doing.”
He added: “They have to realise there won’t be any cherry picking. We won’t mix up the various scenarios to create a specific one and accommodate their wishes, mixing, for instance, the advantages of the Norwegian model, member of the single market, with the simple requirements of the Canadian one.
“No way. They have to face the consequences of their own decision.”
His comments emerged as Mrs May and senior ministers prepared to formally consider the future shape of the