EU Commissioners Say UK Not ‘Back of the Queue’ for Brexit Trade Deal

European Union (EU) commissioners have dismissed suggestions the UK will be at the back of the queue for a free trade deal with the EU after Brexit.

“Forget this nonsense,” blasted Jyrki Katainen, the commissioner responsible for investment (pictured).

“There is no political priority to put the UK last. As soon as we know about the future arrangement, negotiations will start then,” he told The Telegraph.

Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, added: “There has to be at some point trade negotiations between the UK and the EU. We have a fantastic simultaneous negotiating capacity. Keep calm and don’t panic.”

The Commission handles all trade talks on behalf of the EU, and is either in or will soon begin trade negotiations with Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and South American countries.

Before last year’s referendum, U.S. President Barack Obama famously claimed the UK would be at the “back of the queue” for a free trade deal with the U.S. if she left the EU.

His successor, President Donald Trump, has struck a different tone, insisting he wants a deal with Britain as soon as possible.

Michel Barnier, the Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator, has taken a hard-line during talks so far, insisting trade talks can not begin until the UK settles a massive so-called “divorce bill”.

He has reportedly knocked trade talks back to begin before the October. The European Parliament has called for the decision to be postponed until December.

Brexit secretary David Davis hit back at the end of last month, accusing the EU of not being “pragmatic” or “flexible” enough during a heated press conference with Mr. Barnier.

Mr. Barnier, however, insisted he and his team would not move “one iota” from the Brexit mandate given to him by the other 27 member states, including the demand that EU courts make decisions on citizens’ rights.

Last week, friends of International Trade Secretary Dr. Liam Fox claimed he was preparing for the UK to walk away from the EU without a trade deal.