EU referendum: Barack Obama says no to UK-US trade deal after Brexit
Barack Obama has shot down the idea that Britain could strike up a trade deal with the United States if it votes to leave the European Union on 23 June.
In his controversial speech outlining his support for Britain's membership of the EU, the President attacked Leave campaigners who have claim they know how the US would behave if the UK votes for Brexit.
Obama said:
Maybe there'll be a trade deal somewhere down the line. But it's not going to happen anytime soon because our focus is on negotiating with a big bloc of the European Union.
The UK's going to be at the back of the queue. Because given the heavy lift on any trade agreement … trying to do piecemeal trade agreements is hugely inefficient.
The President said he wanted the UK to stay in the EU as he wants Britain – and David Cameron – to have a strong voice at the top table of world affairs.
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Obama added:
If right now I've got access to a massive market where I sell 44 per cent 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'd probably do.