Donald Trump insists he would be ‘tougher’ than Theresa May in Brexit talks
2 min read
Donald Trump has insisted he would take a "tougher stand" with EU leaders than Theresa May if he were negotiating Brexit.
The US President said he would have a “different attitude” in talks with Brussels chiefs, before blasting the bloc’s trade policy as “very, very unfair” to the US.
He made the comments in an interview with ITV presenter Piers Morgan.
Asked about the Prime Minister's Brexit talks, Mr Trump said: "Would it be the way I negotiate? No, I wouldn’t negotiate it the way it’s [being] negotiated… I would have had a different attitude...
"I would have said that the European Union is not cracked up to what it’s supposed to be. I would have taken a tougher stand in getting out."
He added: “You know, I have a lot of problems with the European Union. I’m representing the United States, it’s a very unfair situation. We cannot get our product in. It’s very, very tough.
"And yet they send their product to us – no taxes, very little taxes. It’s very unfair."
Mr Trump added that he had not been surprised when Britain voted to leave the EU, saying the “leave” side won “because of trade, but mostly immigration”.
“I know the British people and understand them. They don’t want people coming from all over the world into Britain,” he said.
The Commander-in-Chief also spoke of his anticipated visit to the UK later in the year, as confirmed by Downing Street this week.
When asked about senior British politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan not wanting the trip to happen, Mr Trump fired back.
He insisted it was “their problem” and that he was “very popular” in the UK. "I think I’m very popular in your country," he declared.
"I mean, if they don’t [like me], I could very nicely stay home. I think a lot of people in your country like what I stand for, they respect what I stand for.”
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