UK allowed only informal non-EU trade talks ahead of formal Brexit

London

ILLUSTRATING the UK's difficulties prior to leaving the European Union (EU), a leaked document contends that the European Commission (EC) can fine Britain if it starts negotiating trade deals with non-EU nations before Brexit. The document states that there is a high risk that the EC will take the UK to court. EU countries could also retaliate if International Trade minister Liam Fox or his Department junior ministers and officials begin talks with nations with which the EU is already carrying out the negotiations.

A spokesman of Mr Fox would neither comment on whether the leaked document is an EU or UK advisory paper. He also would not provide details. He said, however, that the UK is free to hold informal talks with counterpart non-EU nations and also individual EU countries prior to Brexit. The indications so far is that the inception of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which will begin the formal two year process for the UK to leave the EU, could take place in the first quarter of next year. In that event, the UK would officially leave the EU in 2019 and begin official trade and other negotiations with countries around the world.