‘That is NOT possible’ Sweden REJECTS trade talks with UK until AFTER transition period
SWEDEN will not entertain trade talks with the UK until after a Brexit transition period.
Sweden’s prime minister said it would not be possible to hold talks then because “the UK needs to be outside”.
Stefan Löfven held a briefing in Brussels today where he was asked whether Britain could negotiate - but not sign - trade agreements during the post-Brexit transition period.
He responded curtly: “That is not possible.”
He said a “political will” could be established but not all-out trade negotiations with member states.
Mr Löfven said: “That is not possible because what we hopefully can achieve - and I really consider it as a possibility - is a resolution, a political will from the EU and the UK.
“We cannot negotiate the whole new agreement because the UK needs to be outside, needs to be a third country before that is possible.”
He said Britain needed to clarify their red line issues because the situation was currently confusion.
Mr Löfven said: “Of course the UK also needs to clarify what they want. There is a number of red lines from UK position.
“If you analyse those red lines you end up in a situation that is more likely to be like with Canada or South Korea.
“And that is likely to not be what Britain really wants. Perhaps they want some more.
“That is why it is so important to clarify these positions, what really are the UK’s red lines.”
And he warned Britain to obey EU rules even after Brexit, claiming they would still be valid during the transition period.
He concluded: “As long as you’re a member [they must be obeyed]. We have this withdrawal treaty and then a transition treaty.
“During the transition, that means the UK still needs to adhere to the rules that we all have.”