Mr Loefven said that Brexit "shouldn’t take longer than necessary" but also suggested that Mrs May is entitled to wait until beginning the formal process of exiting the European Union.

He told Bloomberg: "If the UK wants some time to think about the situation, this will also give EU countries some time.

“On the other hand, you hear about plans in the UK to, for example, lower corporate taxes considerably. If they, during this time, begin that kind of race, that will of course make discussions more difficult.”

Mr Loefven added: “We will continue to invest, because that’s the future,” Loefven said.

“Tax cuts are not the future. We need to continue to invest, and, for example, make sure our children get a good education.”