MICHEL Barnier this morning ripped into British politicians who he accused of being deluded and in denial about the strength of trade ties the UK can maintain with the rest of Europe after Brexit.
In a fiery address the EU negotiator accused ministers in Westminster of selling British voters a vision for life outside the bloc which is “not possible” and said the UK has much more to lose from the process.
Speaking to a meeting of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in the Belgian port town of Zeebrugge, the Frenchman was also greeted with loud applause as he said the future of the project was “more important” than Britain leaving.
During his speech, which will have been keenly watched by British politicians, the EU’s chief negotiator pulled no punches as he warned both the UK and Europe will suffer as a result of Brexit.
And he blasted suggestions from some in the UK that not securing a deal is a viable option, saying that failing to reach an agreement would simply “make a lose-lose situation even worse”.
Mr Barnier stressed that Brussels had laid down three clear red lines to the UK on future access to the Single Market, but that this message appeared not to have been heard properly by his counterparts in London.
Eurocrats are insisting upon the indivisibility of the four freedoms, including of people, that there can be no sector by sector participation in the Single Market and that third countries like Britain who want to trade with the EU must respect its legal standards.
He said: “These were made clear by the EU Council and the Parliament but I am not sure whether they have been fully understood across the Channel. I’ve heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the Single Market and keep all of its benefits. That is not possible.
"I’ve heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the Single Market and build the customs unions to achieve frictionless trade. That is not possible.
“The decision to leave the EU has consequences and we have to explain to citizens, businesses and civil society on both sides of the Channel what these consequences mean for them.”
The Frenchman said that the cost of Brexit would be "the direct result of the choices made by the UK" but insisted that there will be "no punishment for Brexit and no spirit of revenge" in the negotiations.
He told the room: "Brexit has a cost also for businesses in the EU27 and businesses should assess with lucidity the negative consequences of the UK choice on trade and investment and prepare to manage them.
“My job is to limit the cost of Brexit to the 27 to the extent that that is possible, without denying that certain countries and certain sectors that I know well will be affected more than other sectors."
He warned: “Whatever way the negotiations pan out, on the 29th of March 2019 at midnight, as things stand, the UK will be a third country. It will not have the same rights and it will not have the same facilities as a member state.
“It’s its choice, not our choice its choice, and that is true in all areas but it’s particularly true for trade which will never be as fluid for a country which chooses to leave the Single Market and the Customs Union.”
Insisting that “a trading relationship with a country which is not in the EU will involve friction” by definition, he continued: “Even in the case of the agreement on which we’re working the decision taken by the UK to leave the EU will have major consequences and it’s my duty to say it.
“In making a success of the negotiation, and sincerely we want it to be a success, we will need to go through the different stages one by one. We will have to keep calm and there will never be any aggressivity or arrogance not on my side and I recommend that all and each of us adopt that same attitude.”
Mr Barnier’s remarks were a pointed barb at senior British figures, including Prime Minister Theresa May, who have previously suggested that the UK could walk away from the table because “no deal is better than a bad one”.
The Frenchman retorted: “In a classical negotiation, and this is not a classical negotiation, a no deal means status quo. In the case of Brexit no deal is to return to a distant past.
“No deal means that our trading relationship with the UK would be under the WTO. It would be 10% customs duties on imports of vehicles, 19% on average for alcoholic drinks, 12% on lamb and on fish. The bulk of UK exports do come to the EU.
“In reality a no deal would worsen the lose-lose situation which will necessarily be the result of Brexit and I think objectively the UK would have rather more to lose than its partners.
“In my mind there’s no reasonable justification for a no deal scenario. There’s no reason further to worsen the consequences of Brexit and that is why we want a deal, why the 27 member states and the EU Parliament want a deal.
“And I say this to our partners in the UK a balanced deal is far far preferable to no deal. A fair deal is far better than no deal. Once we have greater clarity on the nature of the new relationship we will be able to discuss any transitional measures.”
Mr Barnier ended his speech to rapturous applause as he insisted that for the remaining 27 member states it is the future of the EU project, and not Britain leaving, which is the most important thing to focus on.
He told the audience: “The future of Europe is much more important than Brexit and that’s my message let’s prepare for Brexit we’ll face up calmly to Brexit because such is the decision of the UK but we’re preparing for the future of Europe. Without naivety we’re preparing but we can also concentrate and we will concentrate on what counts the most and that is the future of the union of 27.”
Britain will have to rely on the generosity of the EU to retain their trade links. Given that Britain will be "punished" for leaving the EU to set an example for any other members who are considering leaving, it just doesn't look promising.
Take risks - if you win you will become wealthy, if you lose you will become wise
Britain will have to rely on the generosity of the EU to retain their trade links. Given that Britain will be "punished" for leaving the EU to set an example for any other members who are considering leaving, it just doesn't look promising.
Britain won't be punished.
It is self abusing.
Whenever you have an argument with someone, there comes a moment where you must ask yourself, whatever your political persuasion, 'am I the Nazi?'
The EU stands up for the interests of its own citizens. They wont give a damn about UK citizens! They will simply get what best for them and if it disadvantages UK its not simply their issue.
Me thinks a mess for both sides, any attempt to strong arm the situation will only benefit the more radical political elements.
Newjerk? can you try harder than dig up another person's blog. My first promo was with Billabong and my name in English is modified with a T, am Perth born but also lived in Sydney to make my $$ It's Absolutely Fabulous if it includes brilliant locations, & high calibre tenants..what more does one want? Understand the power of the two "P"" or be financially challenged Even better when there is family who are property mad and one is born in some entitlements.....Understand that beautiful women are the exhibitionists we crave attention, whilst hot blooded men are the voyeurs ... A stunning woman can command and takes pleasure in being noticed. Seems not too many understand what it means to hold and own props and get threatened by those who do. Banks are considered to be law abiding and & rather boring places yeah not true . A bank balance sheet will show capital is dwarfed by their liabilities this means when a portions of loans is falling its problems for the bank.
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