'You will ALL suffer' Liam Fox warns EU against 'self-defeating' bad Brexit deal for UK
EU STATES and countries across the world will suffer if the Brussels bloc gives Britain a bad Brexit deal, Liam Fox has warned.
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The Secretary of State for International Trade claimed it would be “self-defeating” and damage economies worldwide should nations adopt protectionist policies and slap tariffs on British goods.
Speaking at the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff, the North Somerset MP boasted about the benefits of free and open trade with the rest of the world.
Dr Fox said: “The UK may have voted to leave the EU, but we will never leave Europe. Our partners across the continent will remain among our closest friends and allies in commerce, security and many other ways.
“We want to realise a new relationship with Europe, based on free trade and prosperity."
The UK may have voted to leave the EU, but we will never leave Europe
He added: “It would surely be wholly inappropriate if our political decision was to be met with economic response.
“In other words, if barriers to trade and investment were introduced across Europe, that would damage the economic potential of all European citizens and those well beyond Europe too.
“That would ultimately be self-defeating for the whole of Europe.”
The 55-year-old compared protectionism to a “class-A drug… that might make you feel good at first, but it will be disastrous in the long term”.
Dr Fox added: “We need to make sure those who have benefited most from free trade and open trade do not pull up the draw bridge behind them and deny the same benefits to others.”
The Tory MP also dismissed the “nay-sayers” and “doom-mongerers” who remain pessimistic that Britain could clinch a good Brexit deal.
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He said: “Instead of talking Britain down, it's time to talk up our opportunities, skills and our talents.
“Our plan for Britain is not for a nation cowering into the shadows, but confident, strong and optimistic. We need to lead, not follow.”
It comes as Theresa May looks set to trigger Article 50 later this month, thereby formally beginning the Brexit process.
The Government has endured a torrid week after backtracking on their proposed NIC increase and allegations of misspending during the last general election.