EU warns of ‘serious consequences’ if no Brexit deal
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator warned Wednesday of “serious consequences for everyone” if Britain walks away without agreement from negotiations on leaving the 28-nation bloc.
Outlining his plans in detail for the first time, Michel Barnier told lawmakers in Brussels that there could be “total uncertainty” if no deal is clinched by March 2019.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she plans to officially trigger two years of negotiations on March 29. But the talks are only likely to get seriously underway in late May, and must conclude by October 2018 to leave time for any deal to be endorsed by the EU’s institutions and national parliaments.
Barnier insisted he would negotiate in good faith to ensure that a mutually acceptable agreement is reached, and said that “this scenario of ‘no deal’ is not ours.” Some U.K. officials have said Britain could simply walk away if it’s not happy with the results.