Britain would not be able to strike a free trade deal with the US "any
time soon" if it leaves the EU, as Washington's focus would be on
reaching agreement with the European Union, Barack Obama has said.
The President was speaking after Downing
Street talks with Prime Minister David Cameron during a two-day visit
which he has used to speak out in favour of continued UK membership of
the 28-nation bloc after the June 23 referendum.
At a joint press conference in the Foreign
Office, Mr Cameron insisted that the special relationship between the UK
and US was not "constrained" by Britain's EU membership.
EU membership gave Britain "a powerful tool"
to stand up for the values it shares with the US, said Mr Cameron,
adding: "Now, I think, is a time to stay true to those values, and to
stick together with our friends and allies in Europe and around the
world."
Mr Obama said the UK would be "in the back of
the queue" for a trade deal if it left the EU, because the US would
focus on the bigger bloc.
The US president stressed that the referendum
was a "decision for the people of the United Kingdom" and he was "not
coming here to fix any votes".
But he defended his right to offer an opinion,
saying: "In democracies everybody should want more information, not
less, and you shouldn't be afraid to hear an argument being made -
that's not a threat, that should enhance the debate.
"Particularly because my understanding is that
some of the folks on the other side have been ascribing to the United
States certain actions we will take if the UK does leave the EU - they
say for example that 'we will just cut our own trade deals with the
United States'.
"So they are voicing an opinion about what the
United States is going to do, I figured you might want to hear from the
president of the United States what I think the United States is going
to do.
"And on that matter, for example, I think it's
fair to say that maybe some point down the line there might be a UK-US
trade agreement, but it's not going to happen any time soon because our
focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a
trade agreement done.
"The UK is going to be in the back of the queue."
Trying to do "piecemeal trade agreements" was "hugely inefficient", he said.
Setting out the choice facing the UK, the
president said: "If, right now, I have got access to a massive market
where I sell 44% of my exports and now I'm thinking about leaving the
organisation that gives me access to that market and that is responsible
for millions of jobs in my country and responsible for an enormous
amount of commerce and upon which a lot of businesses depend - that's
not something I would probably do."
He added that the UK's membership of the EU
"enhances the special relationship" because it meant Washington had a
trusted partner in Europe on issues including the fight against
terrorism.
"Precisely because I have a confidence in the
UK, and I know that if we are not working effectively with Paris or
Brussels then those attacks are going to migrate to the United States
and to London, I want one of my strongest partners in that conversation.
"So it enhances the special relationship, it does not diminish it."
Mr Obama said that while the vote was a matter for the British people, the US had a "deep interest" in the outcome.
"The United States wants a strong United
Kingdom as a partner and the United Kingdom is at its best when it is
helping to lead a strong Europe," he said.
"It leverages UK power to be part of the
European Union. I don't believe the EU moderates British influence in
the world, it magnifies it."
He acknowledged that all countries were
concerned about their sovereignty, but said that the UK's membership of
the EU added to collective prosperity and security.
"All of us cherish our sovereignty - our
country is pretty vocal about that - but the US also recognises that we
strengthen our security through our membership of Nato, we strengthen
our prosperity through organisations like the G7 and the G20.
"I believe the UK strengthens both our collective security and prosperity through the EU."
Mr Cameron said the referendum was the
"sovereign choice of the British people" but added: "As we make that
choice, it surely makes sense to listen to what our friends think, to
listen to their opinion, to listen to their views and that's what Barack
has been talking about today."
He added: "On this vital issue of trade, where
Barack has made such a clear statement, we should remember why we are
currently negotiating this biggest trade deal in the whole world, and in
the whole world's history, between the European Union and the United
States.
"It is because Britain played an absolutely leading part in pushing for those talks to get going."
The UK had "set the agenda for what could be
an absolutely game-changing trade deal for jobs, for investment" because
it was part of the EU.
Mr Obama rejected a description of the EU as
being "in crisis", but said it was "under strain" as a result of the
difficulties of the single currency and the numbers of migrants entering
the continent.
He added: "I am confident that the ties that
bind Europe together are ultimately much stronger than the forces that
are trying to pull it apart."
Europe had enjoyed "an extraordinary stretch of prosperity" that might be unmatched in world history, said the President.
"When you think about the 20th century and the
21st century, 21st-century Europe looks an awful lot better, and I
think a majority of Europeans recognise that," said Mr Obama.
"They see that unity and peace have delivered
sustained economic growth, reduced conflict, reduced violence, enhanced
the quality of life of people, a nd I'm confident that can continue.
"But I do believe it is important to watch out for some of these fault lines that are developing."
While Mr Obama accepted it was "right" for UK
voters to make their judgment on June 23 on the basis of what will be
good for them and for Britain's economic prospects and jobs, he added:
"I do also think this vote will sent a signal that is relevant about
whether the kind of prosperity we have built together is going to
continue or whether the forces of division end up being more prominent."
In a clear reference to the president's
warnings against Brexit, Mr Cameron said Mr Obama was "a very good
friend" of the UK who could be relied upon for "sage advice".
The Prime Minister said the "strong and
essential partnership" between Britain and the US has "never been more
important" on issues such as the fight against terrorism, action against
nuclear proliferation and resistance to Russian aggression.
He added: "In all the areas we've discussed
today, our collective power and reach is amplified by Britain's
membership of the European Union.
"When it comes to the special relationship
between our two countries, there's no greater enthusiast than me... But
I've never felt constrained in any way in strengthening this
relationship by the fact that we are in the European Union.
"In fact, quite the reverse. We deliver for
our people through all the international groups that we are part of. We
enhance our security through membership of Nato. We further our
prosperity through the G7 and G20.
"And like those organisations, Britain's
membership of the EU gives us a powerful tool to deliver on the
prosperity and security that our people need and to stand up for the
values that our countries share.
"Now I think is a time to stay true to those
values, and to stick together with our friends and allies in Europe and
around the world."
Mr Cameron added: "I've always found Barack
someone who gives sage advice, he's a man with a very good heart and he
has been a very good friend - and always will be a good friend, I know -
to the United Kingdom."
Responding to Mr Obama's comments, the
co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign, Richard Tice, said: "We don't have a
trade deal with the United States now because we're members of the
European Union.
"The proposed EU-US trade deal, TTIP
(Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), would be disastrous
for British workers.
"Obama doesn't have the authority to deny us a deal, as he will be long gone before any such proposals are on the table."
In a statement issued by main Brexit campaign
Vote Leave, Justice Minister Dominic Raab focused on Mr Obama's comments
on the migration crisis rather than his warning about a trade deal.
Mr Raab said: " The president made clear that
uncontrolled immigration into the EU is a threat to national security. I
agree - that is why it is safer to take back control so that we can
stop terror suspects from Europe coming into the UK.
"He argued that he thinks it is in America's
interests for the UK to stay in the EU but what is good for US
politicians is not necessarily good for the British people. We want more
international cooperation after we Vote Leave, but the EU is not fit
for purpose, and cannot cope with the multiple crises we face like
terrorism, Syria and mass migration.
"The US would not dream of opening its border
with Mexico, so it is hypocritical for President Obama to insist that we
do the same with Europe."
Labour's shadow business secretary Angela
Eagle said: "President Obama's comments confirm what we have been saying
for months - that Britain's ability to negotiate trade deals would be
hugely diminished after Brexit. It is simply not credible for the Leave
campaign to suggest we could swiftly negotiate a favourable trade deal
with the United States and other countries."
Source- article.wn
