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Brexit: EU is trying to 'blackmail' Britain, Trade Secretary Liam Fox claims Brexit: EU is trying to 'blackmail' Britain, Trade Secretary Liam Fox claims
(35 minutes later)
Britain must not be “blackmailed” by Brussels into settling the so-called divorce bill before starting trade talks, Liam Fox has said.Britain must not be “blackmailed” by Brussels into settling the so-called divorce bill before starting trade talks, Liam Fox has said.
The International Trade Secretary issued the warning as negotiations stalled during the latest round of crunch talks in Brussels and expressed frustration at the European Union's wish to first agree a financial settlement for when the UK leaves the bloc.The International Trade Secretary issued the warning as negotiations stalled during the latest round of crunch talks in Brussels and expressed frustration at the European Union's wish to first agree a financial settlement for when the UK leaves the bloc.
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Britain wants an "impossible" Brexit deal and said there had been little progress on key issues, despite Brexit Secretary David Davis saying the “high-stress week” of negotiations had delivered “some concrete progress”.The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Britain wants an "impossible" Brexit deal and said there had been little progress on key issues, despite Brexit Secretary David Davis saying the “high-stress week” of negotiations had delivered “some concrete progress”.
Mr Davis appeared to take a more positive stance than his Tory colleague, as he prepared to tell business leaders in Washington DC that he was a "determined optimist" about the Brexit negotiations. Mr Davis appeared to take a more positive stance than his Tory colleague, as he prepared to tell business leaders in Washington DC that he was a "determined optimist" about the Brexit negotiations.
Speaking during a trade trip to Japan, Mr Fox told ITV News: "We can't be blackmailed into paying a price on the first part.Speaking during a trade trip to Japan, Mr Fox told ITV News: "We can't be blackmailed into paying a price on the first part.
"We think we should begin discussions on the final settlement because that's good for business, and it's good for the prosperity both of the British people and of the rest of the people of the European Union.""We think we should begin discussions on the final settlement because that's good for business, and it's good for the prosperity both of the British people and of the rest of the people of the European Union."
Business leaders across Europe want the commission to seek clarity on the shape of the final deal, Mr Fox later told Sky News.Business leaders across Europe want the commission to seek clarity on the shape of the final deal, Mr Fox later told Sky News.
He said: “I think there is frustration that we have not been able to get on that longer-term issue, that we're stuck on this separation issue and we're not able to get onto the issues that will matter in the longer term for the future prosperity of the UK and the people of Europe."He said: “I think there is frustration that we have not been able to get on that longer-term issue, that we're stuck on this separation issue and we're not able to get onto the issues that will matter in the longer term for the future prosperity of the UK and the people of Europe."
It comes as a cross-party group of MPs said warned that leaving the customs union could cost £25 billion a year, branding the move as "reckless and economically dangerous”. The Brexit Secretary is due to deliver a keynote speech to the US Chamber of Commerce, where he will give assurances that Brexit will not diminish Britain's global standing and it will remain outward looking after leaving the EU.
He is expected to say: "I am a determined optimist.
"Because I fundamentally believe that a good deal is in the interests of both the UK and the EU and the whole of the developed world."
It comes as a cross-party group of MPs warned that leaving the customs union could cost £25 billion a year, branding the move as "reckless and economically dangerous”.
Labour's Chuka Umunna and Tory Anna Soubry, who co-chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations, urged the Government to permanently remain in the customs union.Labour's Chuka Umunna and Tory Anna Soubry, who co-chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations, urged the Government to permanently remain in the customs union.