Donald Trump has said he does not think a second Brexit referendum would be possible as it would be “unfair”.
The US president said on Thursday he was surprised how badly the UK’s negotiations with the EU had gone. He said Theresa May did not listen to his advice on how to conduct the talks.
“It’s a very complex thing right now, it’s tearing a country apart, it’s actually tearing a lot of countries apart and it’s a shame it has to be that way but I think we will stay right in our lane,” Trump said.
“I’m surprised at how badly it has all gone from a stand point of negotiations but I gave the prime minister my ideas of how to negotiate it, she didn’t listen to that and that’s fine but it could have been negotiated in a different manner.”
Trump was speaking as he met with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar in the White House.
The intervention comes as MPs prepared to vote on delaying Brexit by asking Theresa May to extend Article 50.
Asked if he thought the Brexit deadline should be extended, Trump said: “I think they are probably going to have to do something because right now they are in the midst of a very short period of time, at the end of the month and they are not going to be able to do that.”
Earlier today, Trump said he “looks forward to negotiating a large scale trade deal” with the UK as the “potential is unlimited”.
Trump said he would like to see the “whole situation with Brexit work out”.
Turning to Varadkar, he said: “Leo, I’m sure you agree on that. Would you like to express your feelings on Brexit? Maybe I shouldn’t let you do it, I’ll just get you in trouble.”
Varadkar replied: “We have a different opinion, President. I regret that Brexit’s happening.”