Speaking in NY to the BBC and Sky News on Thursday, Mr Johnson appeared to go further when he suggested the Article 50 process could begin early in 2017.
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“We are going to benefit from fantastic opportunities for free trade with our friends in the EU”.
Once it does, there is a two-year timeline laid out for talks.
He also told Sky: “We are talking to our European friends and partners in the expectation that by the early part of next year you will see an Article 50 letter”.
Last week, No 10 rejected an assertion by Donald Tusk, the European Council president, that the Brexit talks would begin in January or February; Theresa May has only said Article 50 would not be invoked before the start of 2017.
Aides to Prime Minister Theresa May have suggested she hopes to trigger the procedure early next year to assuage any fears in her ruling Conservative Party and among millions of British voters that their decision to leave will not be heeded promptly.
Ms May has promised to deliver a “unique deal” for Britain – to get trade deals on good terms while limiting immigration, a combination ruled out by European leaders, who say free trade is only possible with free movement of people. “But let’s see how we go”. For me Brexit is a good way to re-examine where we are in the world and an FTA with China would be terrific but I just wouldn’t hold my breath, and it’s going to be tough, ‘ she said.
He added: “In London I will also stress why the European Parliament favours the earliest possible triggering of Article 50, which is a pre-condition to opening negotiations”.
Before the meeting, Schulz said in a statement that the final deal between Britain and the European Union needed to be good for all sides, while the four freedoms of the single market – goods, capital, services and persons – were all equally important.
Obama’s warning, made in London in April, that the United Kingdom would be at the back of the line for a USA trade deal is now “in reality the case”, Froman said, adding that the British government needs to concentrate on working out how it will trade with the European Union in the future.
Arriving at Downing Street, Mr Schulz admitted the European Parliament is “not the easiest” partner to work with, but said he is in Britain “to listen and to learn”.
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Schulz, a member of Germany’s center-left Social Democrats, leads the 28-nation EU’s legislative assembly.
