'GREAT DEAL - FOR EU'
Donald Trump slams Theresa May’s Brexit plan as ‘a great deal for the EU’ and claims it stops Britain trading with the US
DONALD Trump warned today that Theresa May’s Brexit agreement may prevent trade with the US – and claimed it was a “great deal” for the EU.
The American president, speaking from the front lawn of the White House, threw the Special Relationship into fresh turmoil by savaging the PM’s deal.
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He suggested it would hinder trade between the US and UK – warning that would be “a very big negative”.
Trump, when asked about the Brexit agreement, raised his eyebrows and said: “It sounds like a great deal for the EU!”
He added: “I think we have to take a look at seriously whether or not the UK is allowed to trade because, right now, if you look at the deal, they may not be able to trade with us and that wouldn’t be a good thing.
“I don’t think they meant that - I don’t think that the Prime Minister meant that - and hopefully she’ll be able to do something about that.
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“Right now, as the deal stands, they may not be able to trade with the US.
And I don’t think they want that at all – that would be a very big negative for the deal.”
Trump – who previously met with ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage in New York - has repeatedly heralded Brexit and urged Britain to cut ties with the EU since taking over the White House in 2016.
He has also said he believes other nations will follow.
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During an interview with Michael Gove in January 2017, he said: “I believe others will leave. I do think keeping it together is not gonna be as easy as a lot of people think.”
Trump previously blasted PM May’s approach to the Brexit negotiations – in an exclusive interview with The Sun in July.
He warned that her so-called Chequers plan would “definitely affect trade with the United States, unfortunately in a negative way”.
Trump said: “I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me. She wanted to go a different route.
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“The deal she is striking is a much different deal than the one the people voted on.”
On the day the interview was published, Trump and May held talks at Chequers, after which he wrongly labelled our bombshell interview with him “fake news”.
However, Trump later attempted to repair the Special Relationship and admitted he had apologised for his remarks in The Sun.
He gushed: “This incredible woman right here is doing a fantastic job.”
Theresa May defends Brexit agreement with EU and tells MPs there 'is no better deal available'
The Sun labelled his attempts at diplomacy as ‘Fake Schmooze’.
In response to Mr Trump's comments, a Downing Street spokesman said: "The political declaration we have agreed with the EU is very clear we will have an independent trade policy so that the UK can sign trade deals with countries around the world - including with the US.
"We have already been laying the groundwork for an ambitious agreement with the US through our joint working groups, which have met five times so far.
"The US Trade Representative also issued a call for views from the public on a future UK-US free trade agreement earlier this month."
Former Trade Secretary Peter Lilley said: “Unfortunately President Trump is right.
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"The PM’s draft deal would rule out any prospect of UK trade deals with the US, let alone accepting the invitation to join the Trans Pacific Partnership.
"But it is a superb deal for the EU which will be able to offer their trade partners access to the UK market in return for privileges for EU exporters.
"And we are paying £39 billion for this.”
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