The EU's deputy negotiator, Sabine Weynard, has said Britain has lost all of its allies since the Brexit negotiations started. But she cannot realistically expect the UK's departure not to upset European leaders intent on preserving the fragile unity of this trading bloc. France and Germany would be happy to see this process cancelled altogether.
Like many Eurocrats, she is looking inwards
Like many Eurocrats, she is looking inwards into the EU when she made this ridiculous claim. Even inside the trading bloc, Britain still has some allies left. Hungary and Poland have repeatedly warned Brussels not to punish the UK.
Prince William and Princess Kate recently visited the latter nation not that long ago and reaffirmed the special bond between both countries. Poland has entered into its constitutional battle with the trading bloc, showing it is not Merkel's friend.
In fact, Britain has plenty of allies. Though many Brits resent Donald Trump, he is the best gift the Americans could provide the UK with at this time. This week, he reiterated his commitment to providing the UK with a 'quick and easy' free trade deal once it leaves the EU. The Republican expressed his contempt for the European project during his campaign trail to the White House. He brought former UKIP leader Nigel Farage to a campaign rally and snubbed Angela Merkel when she visited Washington DC.
International Secretary Liam Fox visited the US earlier this week to begin negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal.
The UK is also an influential member of NATO. Theresa May is in a dominant position to ensure the US President preserves this alliance that brought peace to Europe after the Second World War. The British Government maintains its spending commitments to the organisation and is an influential member too.
This should not change after Brexit.
But beyond Europe, there have been swathes of countries lining up to draw up trade agreements with the UK after it leaves the EU during March 2019. Japan, China and India have all declared an interest in British trade at the recent G20 summit. The three Brexiteers are controlling the Foreign Office- David Davis, Liam Fox and Boris Johnson- have been travelling throughout the globe this week, selling post-Brexit Britain's prospects.
Brexit will help strengthen Britain's Commonwealth bonds
Britain is head of the largest collection of post-colonial countries in the world: the Commonwealth. The UK's relationship with these nations has been hindered since it joined the Common Market in 1973. Brexit will help strengthen its bonds to its former colonies once it leaves the EU.
That is why Ms Weynard is wrong: the UK has plenty of allies, and it will thrive outside the trading bloc she refers to.
