Brexit: Britain will regret leaving the EU, warns Juncker
‘Optimistic’ speech includes call for EU trade deals with Australia, New Zealand
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker gave his annual State of the Union address today - and warned that Britain will regret leaving the European Union as the 27 other EU members “move on”.
Compared to last year’s speech - which, if anything, “was a call to stop the collapse of the EU” - this year’s address “struck a far more optimistic note, as Juncker praised the bloc’s achievements over the last 12 months and laid out his vision for the bloc’s future”, says Deutsche-Welle.
Addressing the UK directly, Juncker said that “we will always regret this, and I think you will regret this too, soon.
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.
“We will move on, because Brexit isn't everything. It isn’t the future of Europe - it’s not the be-all and end-all.”
Juncker said the EU had made economic strides in the past year. But he called for the union “to seize the momentum and agree new trade deals”, reports the BBC.
Free trade talks
Juncker urged EU governments to give his commission, the EU’s executive arm, the authority to begin free-trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. His plan comes on the heels of a provisional EU accord with Japan and a week before a hard-fought European deal with Canada enters into force.
Juncker said the commission would aim to conclude talks with Mexico and the South American trading bloc Mercosur, led by Brazil and Argentina, by the end of the year.
The outreach to Australia and New Zealand “will offer a fresh reminder of the EU’s global market-opening clout, further distance Europe from US President Donald Trump’s protectionist tilt and raise awkward questions for Theresa May”, says Bloomberg.
May wants the UK to cut and paste EU trade deals post-Brexit, but “will be unable to strike her own commercial pacts until after the UK quits the bloc in March 2019”, the website adds.
'Wind in the sails'
“A veteran of dealmaking through decades of fractious European Union politics”, says Reuters, Juncker has “often despaired at the bloc”.
But in today’s speech he said he saw it bouncing back, a decade after the global financial meltdown.
Juncker “painted a bright picture for the future of the EU”, says The Independent.
“The wind is back in Europe’s sails,” Juncker told the European Parliament, citing faster economic growth in the EU than in the US.
“Now we have a window of opportunity, but it will not stay open for ever. Let us make the most of the moment: catch the wind in our sails.”
Brexit talks postponed
The annual address came hours after the UK and EU agreed to postpone the next round of Brexit talks, which were due to take place next week.
A British government spokesperson said the delay was to allow more time for “consultation”, but the European Parliament’s Brexit lead negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, claimed Theresa May is set to make an intervention regarding the UK’s position.
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
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published