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EU leaders, who are meeting in Brussels today without the British Prime Minister, have said despite agreement terms to start discussions on trade with Britain, they had "sharp discussions" any attempt for the UK to do a deal with America would be "unacceptable". The warning comes amid fraught negotiations between the EU and Washington. Brussels fears a UK deal would "undermine" attempts for the EU to strike a good deal with President Trump, according to Sky News.

GETTY Brexit latest: Theresa May has been told not to try to strike a deal with America



Mrs May was excluded from today's round table meeting of EU national leaders where they decided to move Brexit talks to the trade negotiations phase. But Sky News presenter Faisal Islam tweeted: “A number of EU 27 leaders discussed (after PM May left Summit) U.K.-US trade negotiations threatening post Brexit U.K.-EU Deal.” EU presidents Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are due to adress media with the next hour to update on today's talks. Mr Tusk had earlier revealed the Brexit negotiations had been approved by EU leaders to move on to the trade negotiation stage.

EU Summit 2018 LIVE pictures from Brussels Fri, March 23, 2018 Theresa May sought to unite EU leaders in condemnation of Moscow over the poisoning of a former Russian spy, but she faces resistance from states keen to protect their Kremlin ties Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 17 Jean-Claude Juncker and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May

The announcement was welcomed by Mrs May who said there was now a "new dynamic in Brexit". She said: “I welcome the fact that the EU Council this morning has agreed the details of the implementation period … this gives certainty to people and businesses, it gives them the clarity to plan for their future and it ensures that they will only have to make one adjustment, one change when we enter into the new relationship with the EU. “I believe there’s a new dynamic now in the negotiations, I believe we are approaching this with a spirit of cooperation, and spirit of opportunity for the future as well."

REUTERS Theresa May in a meeting in Brussels

Speaking in a press conference, Jean-Claude Juncker heralded the agreement to move Brexit talks to the trade negotiation stage. He said: “We were discussing this in depth but the guidelines the president of the council submitted were adopted in less than half minute. tThere was a united front of all EU members. “Particular attention given to the whole issue of Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland.” German chancellor Angela Merkel was more critical of Brexit talks and said .

GETTY Theresa May faces intense talks, Angela Merkel has warned