Britain can't agree trade deals before Brexit : Mogherini

Britain cannot negotiate new trade deals until it leaves the EU, the bloc's foreign policy chief said today after US President-elect Donald Trump backed a speedy trade agreement with Britain.


"As long as a member state is a member state, there are no negotiations bilaterally on any trade agreement with third parties," Ms Mogherini told reporters in Brussels when asked about Mr Trump's comments in an interview with two European newspapers.

British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier said Mr Trump's offer of a quick trade deal with Britain as it leaves the European Union was positive news.

"I think it's very good news that the United States of America wants to do a good free trade deal with us and wants to do it very fast," Mr Johnson said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"It's great to hear that from President-elect Donald Trump. Clearly it will have to be a deal that's very much in the interest of both sides but I have no doubt that it will be."
 [rte.ie]
16/1/17