British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday dismissed claims from European leaders that Britain could be forced out of the EU without a trade agreement.
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The figures come a day after the head of Germany’s central bank said Britain would lose these rights if it does not remain part of the single market.
Robert Fico last week said Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary would be “uncompromising” during talks and were ready to veto arrangements “unless we feel a guarantee that these people are equal”.
But speaking to reporters at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, May declared: “The 27 will sign up to a deal with us”. We will be ambitious in what we want to see for the United Kingdom.
“The biggest threats to our prosperity and security do not recognise or respect global borders”, she said, adding: “And that if we only focus on what we do at home, the job is barely half done”.
U.K. Brexit Secretary David Davis has also admitted it is possible that Britain could leave the European Union without a trade deal in place.
Prouza was referring to the EU’s four principles of freedom, including the free movement of goods, services, persons (and citizenship including free movement of workers) and capital.
Britain has said it will not trigger Article 50, the formal process for negotiating exit from the European Union, before the end of this year.
May’s remarks represent the first time she has really spoken out against the many warnings issued to Britain by European leaders.
Passporting rights allow firms to trade across the bloc without the need for separate licences.
British finance minister Philip Hammond has argued that a post-Brexit attempt to shift financial services activity from Britain to the EU would damage European businesses that rely on London as a hub, and see business move to NY or Asia.
Theresa May met with U.S. executives to hear their concerns following reports that United States banks were considering moving operations out of London amid reports they would lose their “passporting rights” post-Brexit. “Something like a million people wake up each morning and go to work for an American company”, May said, ahead of the summit.
Britain’s Boris Johnson – a vocal Brexit supporter who is now foreign secretary – declared in July that he expected the country to retain passporting rights. Asked about those comments, May gave a diplomatic answer.
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May, who argued before she won Britain’s top job that the United Nations was flawed but necessary, said the 193-member organisation should ensure its relevance by serving the millions of people who feel left behind by globalisation.
