"We no longer want to be members of the European single market, but we will try an ambitious free trade agreement with the EU”. The British premier said so Theresa May in today's awaited speech on the start of Brexit negotiations, confirming what the British press defines as a "hard" approach, aimed at a clear break with Brussels. Britain will probably continue to pay only small sums to the EU to maintain adherence to some programmes.
“But right now we are leaving Europe – clarified May – We don't want a solution that leaves Britain half out and half in. Let us plan a biennial Commonwealth Summit – we will build a truly global Britain." The final agreement with the EU, continued May, will be submitted to the vote of both houses of the British Parliament (and on these words the pound recorded a flare up to 1,23 against the dollar), but the Premier said she was certain that the assemblies will respect the will of the voters.
As for immigration, May assured that “European citizens will still be welcome in the UK”, because London “is aware of their importance” for the British economy itself, but at the same time wants to have the “full control of immigration from the European Union”. The head of the British government would like to sign a preliminary agreement precisely to guarantee the situation of Europeans in the United Kingdom as soon as possible
May said she was confident in the possibility of reaching a friendly agreement with Europe: “We don't want to undermine European stability. We want the EU to succeed and its members to thrive and we want the same for Britain. Trading is not a zero-sum game: free market means more work and more growth".
Furthermore, “cooperation also serves to the security – underlined the number one of Downing Street again – United Kingdom and France are two nuclear powers in the UN security council. British intelligence services will continue to cooperate with our allies to ensure the safety of European citizens. We intend to continue to cooperate with Europe on international affairs, security and terrorism”.
However, if Brussels aims at a punitive settlement to discourage other countries from leaving the EU, “it would not be a friendly act – warned May – and we would not accept it. On the other hand, I believe that this scenario will not happen and that we will be able to find an agreement that protects millions of jobs, in the best interest of Great Britain and Europe”.
Also because "we are a fundamental market for European exports" and by damaging relations with the UK "Europe would close trade with one of the most important economies in the world". In turn, Great Britain “could change the rules of its economic model – concluded May – e have a free hand to attract large companies”. In other words, it is the threatens to turn Britain into a tax haven to steal investments and capital from the European market.
At the end of May's speech, the pound had risen by 1,74% against the US currency (to 1,2251 dollars) and by 0,7% against the Community one (to 1,1445 euros).
