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Enter one Donald Trump, whose increasingly strained relationship with the EU is an unexpected boon for Britain’s Brexit negotiators. Whitehall insiders believe the US President’s recent rants against Brussels and the threat of a looming trade war can only serve to scare the EU and work in the UK’s favour when a Brexit deal is finally thrashed out. Currently talks remain locked in stalemate with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier stating “huge and serious” differences remain over final withdrawal agreement and the framework for future relations.

Is this Britain's Brexit secret weapon?

The Germans may look favourably on a deal that avoids trade barriers with their biggest export market for cars British official

But canny British negotiators reckon Mr Trump’s outbursts could inadvertently lead to the EU seeing compromise rather than forcing a political crisis on the UK. And his official visit to the UK next week will provide the perfect opportunity to make sure his stays onside. Washington’s tariffs on European steel and aluminium may have been absorbable for the EU but threats of a 20 percent surcharge on all European cars is a different ball game — and British officials know it. One senior official said: “At a time when Donald Trump is looking at a 20 percent tariff on European cars, the Germans may look favourably on a deal that avoids trade barriers with their biggest export market for cars.” Another said: “Go back to the G7 summit. Theresa May was the closest ally of the German chancellor and French president. “Now, set that against the renewed tensions in the EU. Ultimately, is Brexit something they want to get done and move on from? Or do they want to create another crisis and keep it alive as an issue?”

British diplomats have noted the sharpening lines of division between the US and the EU which were highlighted last week by European Council President Donald Tusk’s dour welcome letter to the leaders’ summit on which he wrote: “Despite our tireless efforts to keep the unity of the West, transatlantic relations are under immense pressure due to the policies of President Trump.” According to senior UK officials directly involved in the negotiations, London believes the EU will drop its hardline stance that the UK must choose between full membership of the single market and customs union or nothing more than a Canada-style trade deal but with Northern Ireland hived off to protect the open border with the Republic of Ireland. Both options are unacceptable to Britain because the latter would create an economic border within the UK and the former would leave the Government’s unable to control its borders, leave the the European Court of Justice and strike independent trade deals with other countries.

Donald Trump and Theresa May

An insider said: “It’s very difficult to envisage a world where the outcomes they envisage actually happen. “If the EU thinks the UK will accept single market plus customs union, you’re talking about second referendum territory. “The EU pays very close attention to UK politics but it doesn’t seem to understand it.” Mr Trump arrives in Britain on Thursday July 12 for a three-day official visit during which he will meet Mrs May at Chequers before joining the Queen at Windsor Castle.