Failure of post-Brexit talks would pose ‘existential threat’ to Ireland
- PM Leo Varadkar calls on EU to find new role in post-Cold War era to keep other countries from leaving bloc
- Ireland shares border with Britain and will be directly affected if there is no new trade deal with European Union by end of year
A failure by Britain and the European Union to reach a post-Brexit trade deal by the end-of-year deadline would pose an “existential threat” to Ireland, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.
The Irish leader also called on the European Union to find a new role in the post-Cold War era – such as tackling global warming – that could keep other countries from leaving the soon-to-be 27 member bloc.
“We have to be realistic about the dangers,” he said in a speech in Dublin as Britain leaves the EU after 47 years.
“A failure to secure a trade deal would be a major threat, and an existential threat to our economy in 2021, so we do need that deal.”
Britain will continue following EU rules on trade and other issues during an 11-month transition period that has been set aside to decide their future ties. London has until July to ask for an extension – something Johnson has vowed not to do despite warnings that such talks usually take far more time.