Emmanuel Macron plays down backstop hopes
French president responds after Germany gives Boris Johnson 30 days to find Brexit solution
French President Emmanuel Macron has played down hopes of finding a solution to the Irish backstop problem, the main obstacle in the Brexit negotiations.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday surprised many when she said a solution might be possible within 30 days. Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded by saying he was “more than happy” with such a “blistering timetable”.
However, Sky News says that “in truth Mrs Merkel never proposed such a ‘timetable’”, and was “merely suggesting that if the UK could come up with an alternative solution to the Irish backstop that was acceptable to the EU then a no-deal Brexit might be averted”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In any case, the French president quickly poured cold water over the upsurge of optimism, saying that reopening negotiations on the issue was “not an option” because, says The Guardian, Merkel’s comments were “set against a backdrop of pessimism in France”.
The Times predicts that Macron will take a “harsher” line when he meets Johnson today. “An official at the Elysee Palace said that a no-deal Brexit was now ‘the most likely’ outcome and that Britain would still have to pay the £39 billion divorce settlement,” it explains.
Macron has also told Johnson that a no-deal Brexit would be Britain’s fault and warned that a trade deal with the US would set up an “historic vassalisation” of the UK.
He said: “Can [the cost of a hard Brexit] be offset by the United States of America? No. And even if it were a strategic choice, it would be at the cost of a historic vassalisation of Britain. I don’t think this is what Boris Johnson wants. I don’t think it is what the British people want.”
Macron added that “the point can’t be to exit Europe and say ‘we’ll be stronger’ before, in the end, becoming the junior partner of the United States, which are acting more and more hegemonically”.
However, Johnson continues to suggest that a late deal can be struck. The prime minister said: “I have, in my life, watched a lot of European negotiations and, believe me, it looks at first as though it is, you know, irresistible force and immovable object.
“What in my experience happens is that people find a way through and I think that if we approach this with sufficient patience and optimism, as I say, we can get this done and it is in the final furlong generally when the horses change places and the winning deal appears.”
Johnson is to travel this weekend to the G7 summit in France for further talks, including with Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Olaf Scholz vs. Emmanuel Macron: an ancient animosity
Under the radar The German chancellor and French president's relationship has been productive, but Ukraine war has put it under strain
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
NATO allies say no to Macron's idea of troops in Ukraine
Speed Read The French president faced pushback after suggesting soldiers be deployed to Ukraine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published