Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
23th April, 2016
US President Barack Obama, during his visit to the UK, which was timed with the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, stated that the United Kingdom’s exit from EU would damage US-British trade relations. Such statements caused a flurry of criticism from citizens of Britain, who called Obama’s statement as an attempt at blackmail.
“I think it’s fair to say that a trade agreement between Great Britain and the United States can be signed in the future. But now it is not necessary to count on its prompt signing, because we are focused on negotiations with a large block of countries — the European Union. The United Kingdom will be at the end of the queue,” commented Obama in regards to supporters of the withdrawal of Britain from the EU who believe that an independent Britain will make conducting international trade easier.
The position of President of the United States was supported by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is also a supporter of preserving the country’s membership in the European Union.
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“The UK’s membership of the EU is an important instrument to ensure the security and prosperity that is necessary for our citizens,” said Cameron.
Despite the support of the Prime Minister, the British people did not listen to Obama’s “wise advice,” describing his statement as an obvious attempt to blackmail and interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Some Brits expressed their indignation at the behavior of the American leader on the social network Twitter.
#Obama has done himself no favours with the British public. Advising us on #EU membership is one thing, threatening us is another. #Brexit
— LellyVee (@LellyVee) April 22, 2016
Sorry Barack Obama, this poll is UK ONLY.#ObamaInUK #EUreferendum #Brexit or #StrongerIN https://t.co/uP2ceXd50F
— Pollstation UK (@PollstationUK) April 22, 2016
Obama sticking his hooter in the #Brexit debate. Well I suggest the USA become part of the United Kingdom again! How’d ya like them apples?!
— Desailly’s Child (@shedboy63) April 22, 2016
Leading British politician and London mayor Boris Johnson was subject to criticism for his statements about Barack Obama in his column in The Sun newspaper, calling them “paradoxical, contradictory, and confusing”. In the article, Johnson pointed out the hypocrisy of Obama, who, according to the mayor of London, would not infringe on US sovereignty in favor of international organizations, as he did with Britain.
“Can you imagine the Americans entrusting their trade negotiations to a body that comprised only 3.6% Americans?” — asked the mayor of London.
