Minister asks German firms to lobby Angela Merkel for new post-Brexit trade deal with UK
German-speaking Greg Hands sought the help of businesses in Bavaria to pressure the German Chancellor
INTERNATIONAL Trade Minister Greg Hands has made an appeal to German businesses to put pressure on the Chancellor Angela Merkel into giving Britain a good post-Brexit deal.
Speaking to firms in Munich last month, the Minister said the business links between Britain and Germany were "remarkable" and noted the importance of that were shipped between the two countries each year.
Attempting to calm business fears over the impact of Britain leaving the EU, Mr Hands said that Britain was "open for business" with Germany and that firms should not "be afraid of Brexit".
Bavarian companies export more than €12 billion worth of goods to Britain each year, more than half of which are from the car industry. Around €6 billion worth of British goods are shipped back to Germany.
Mr Hands delivered his speech in German and told businesses "these figures are remarkable".
The German Chancellor Mrs Merkel will be key in the upcoming negotiations with Britain about leaving the EU, which are set to begin next year.
This morning Mrs Merkel hinted that she may be willing to compromise on the issue of freedom of movement, saying that the EU could "discuss further" the rules, giving hope to some who think that Britain could keep access to the single market and curb immigration to Britain.
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She and other EU leaders have repeatedly said that Britain would not be allowed to do this, and there would be no "exception" for the people of Britain.
Freedom of movement is seen as one of the cornerstones of the European Union, which gives citizens the right to live and work in any other country in the bloc.