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British PM says no-deal Brexit would not be a disaster
LONDON, Aug 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Prime Minister Theresa May indicated Tuesday
that a no-deal Brexit would not be a disaster for Britain, playing down
warnings of serious consequences for the UK economy.
May said she was confident of striking an acceptable new deal with Brussels
as Britain prepares to leave the European Union in March.
She cited WTO director general Roberto Azevedo as she made her case.
“Look at what the director of the World Trade Organization has said,” she
told British media on her tour of Africa.
“He said about a no-deal situation that it would not be a walk in the park
but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
Her government last week outlined its preparations for a no-deal scenario.
“What the government is doing is putting in place the preparations such
that if we’re in that situation we can make a success of it, just as we will
make a success of the good deal I believe we’re able to get and the good deal
we’re working to get,” she said.
London and Brussels have yet to reach an agreement on the terms of
Britain’s exit from the bloc.
British lawmakers are split on May’s proposals to keep Britain close to the
EU on trade — parts of which have since been rejected by Brussels.
London and Brussels hope to strike a deal by October, to allow its
ratification by the European and British parliaments before Britain leaves
the EU.
Last week, British finance minister Philip Hammond warned a no-deal Brexit
could have “large fiscal consequences” on productivity and borrowing.
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And Alexander Winterstein, a European Commission spokesman, said the bloc was
focused on achieving Britain’s “orderly withdrawal” but “preparing for all
possible outcomes”.
“The withdrawal of the UK is going to lead to disruption regardless — with
a deal or without a deal,” he said.
May was asked about whether she would instruct her Conservative lawmakers
to support a no-deal Brexit if her blueprint falls through.
“I’ve said right from the beginning that no deal is better than a bad
deal,” she said.
BSS/AFP/SR/1630 HRS