- The Brexit Secretary said the UK wants ‘the full sweep of economic cooperation’
- His comments challenge those of Michel Barnier, EU’s chief Brexit negotiator
- Barnier has repeatedly said final Brexit deal cannot include financial services
Brussels chiefs must not be allowed to ‘cherry pick’ a free trade deal that excludes the City of London and financial services, the Brexit Secretary warned last night.
In a direct message to the European Union, David Davis said the UK wants ‘the full sweep of economic cooperation’, with minimal barriers to trade and goods and services.
His comments challenge those of Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, who has repeatedly said the final Brexit deal cannot include financial services.
David Davis said the UK wants ‘the full sweep of economic cooperation’, with minimal barriers to trade and goods and services
It is likely to be a hugely contentious issue as the Government enters the second phase of Brexit negotiations this year.
There are fears the EU is seeking to mount a Brexit land-grab on the City and punish Britain for leaving the bloc.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Davis said: ‘I do not believe the strength of this cooperation needs change because we are leaving the European Union.
‘Many of these principles can be applied to services trade too.
‘Given the strength and breadth of the pan-European economic relationship, a deal that took in some areas of our economic relationship but not others would be, in the favoured phrase of EU diplomats, cherry picking.’
His comments will be seen as a swipe at Mr Barnier, who has repeatedly said that Britain cannot ‘cherry pick’ the benefits it wants from the Single Market after Brexit.
Last month he said there was ‘no place’ for financial services in a free-trade agreement. He said Britain had only itself to blame for leaving the EU.