Theresa May would be “delusional” to think Donald Trump election can help post-Brexit trade deal with US, says top German politician
Theresa May’s government would be “delusional” to think Donald Trump’s presidency will be good for the UK as it seeks a post-Brexit trade deal with the US, one of Germany’s most senior politicians has warned.
The Prime Minister congratulated Trump on winning the election this week, saying: “[The UK and US] are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.
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"I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”
Axel Schafer, a leading member of the Social Democratic Party and Brexit adviser in Berlin, told the Times: “What changed [with Trump’s election] is the likelihood of a speedy and preferential trade deal between UK and US… Even before Tuesday the chances were rather low, now the hope for this kind of deal seems delusional.”
He added: “With a more inward-looking Trump administration, it is in United Kingdom’s own interest to seek close co-operation with their EU partners in this field.”
Read more: Hammond vows "constructive" relationship with Trump but warns over tariffs
Earlier this month, the Council of Economic Experts advised the German government that the best outcome from Brexit negotiations would be no Brexit.
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