Liam Fox: EU is trying to ‘blackmail’ Britain

The international trade secretary has said the UK must not be “blackmailed” by Brussels into settling the exit settlement.

Liam Fox made the comment following a press conference held in Brussels on Thursday, in which the third round of exit talks was being held.

Speaking in Tokyo on Friday, Fox said: “We can’t be blackmailed into paying a price on the first part,”

“We think we should begin discussions on the final settlement because that’s good for business, and it’s good for the prosperity both of the British people and of the rest of the people of the European Union.”

Fox later went on to tell Sky: “I think there is frustration that we have not been able to get on that longer-term issue, that we’re stuck on this separation issue, and we’re not able to get on to the issues that will matter in the longer term for the future prosperity of the UK and the people of Europe.

“And I had representations from businesses from across Europe – from Germany, from Spain – to say: ‘Can we put more pressure on the commission to try and get us a better idea of what that final picture will look like because we need to maintain an open and liberal trading environment in Europe?’”

Fox is currently in Tokyo with Theresa May where they are focusing on post-Brexit trade between the UK and Japan. A joint statement saw Downing Street refer to May’s trip to Japan as a great success.

David Davis has shown more optimism about Brexit negotiations.

“I am a determined optimist … I fundamentally believe that a good deal is in the interests of both the UK and the EU and the whole of the developed world,” he is expected to say in a keynote speech to the US Chamber of Commerce on Friday.