‘We’re still in charge here!’ Germany orders Britain NOT to seal trade deals before Brexit
GERMANY has ordered Britain not to start negotiations for trade deals with non-EU members before it leaves the European Union (EU).
By KATIE MANSFIELD
Express.co.uk
Thu, Sep 8, 2016
In an intervention bound to infuriate Downing Street ministers in Berlin instructed the Government to ditch informal talks it has opened with countries including Australia and India.
The unhelpful remarks came as Prime Minister Theresa May attempted to drum up support for free trade deals during the G20 summit in China.
Until Britain officially leaves the bloc no negotiations with other nations can take place, according to draconian EU rules.
And Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for Angela Merkels’ government, said: “As spokesman of the German government, I am not going to judge who the British prime minister holds talks with.
But Mr Seibert stressed “it is clear that an EU member state cannot hold bilateral talks on free trade deals with non-EU states as long as it remains a member of the EU”.
Trade Secretary Liam Fox has been tasked with striking trade deals outside of the EU, but he must avoid any legal battles with Brussels ahead of the formal two-year divorce process.
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