EU Warns of Brexit Frictions in Blow to Softer U.K. Stance
- Barnier says U.K. still doesn’t ‘fully’ understand EU position
- EU negotiator warns Britain against ‘no deal’ threat
EU Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier said the U.K. can't leave the single market and keep all of the benefits, and that 'frictionless' trade is not possible if the U.K. is outside the single market. He spoke at an event in Brussels. (Excerpt. Source: EBS) (Source: Bloomberg)
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier signaled that even a partial withdrawal from the bloc will have consequences on the U.K.’s ability to interact with the EU and that a “frictionless” trade relationship isn’t feasible.
A month into formal talks over the split, Barnier used an address to an EU committee in Brussels to tell Britain that any type of breakup will carry costs, delivering a blow to members of Theresa May’s government who are distancing themselves from her initial hardline stance and seeking to retain close links.