Barack Obama tonight warned Britain would be at the 'back of the queue' for a trade deal with America if it quits the EU. In an extraordinary intervention standing alongside David Cameron at the Foreign Office, the US President warned there was no prospect of a deal 'any time soon'. Mr Obama defended his right to comment on Britain's June 23 poll despite claims from Leave campaigners that he was being 'hypocritical' and had 'double standards'. The President insisted his remarks, which have been long planned by Mr Cameron's In campaign, were not a 'threat' to Britain. But the speech enraged campaigners who support Brexit, with Tory MPs immediately warning drumming up support from foreign leaders was 'not a good look' for Mr Cameron. Mr Obama said as a 'friend' of Britain he had to be 'honest' about the impact of a Brexit vote. He said: 'In democracies everybody should want more information, not less, and you shouldn't be afraid to hear an argument being made - that's not a threat, that should enhance the debate. Particularly because my understanding is that some of the folks on the other side have been ascribing to the United States certain actions we will take if the UK does leave the EU - they say for example that ''we will just cut our own trade deals with the United States''. So they are voicing an opinion about what the United States is going to do, I figured you might want to hear from the President of the United States what I think the United States is going to do. And on that matter, for example, I think it's fair to say that maybe some point down the line there might be a UK-US trade agreement, but it's not going to happen any time soon because our focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a trade agreement done. The UK is going to be in the back of the queue.' Mr Obama said trying to do 'piecemeal trade agreements' was 'hugely inefficient Setting out the choice facing the UK, the president said: 'If, right now, I have got access to a massive market where I sell 44 per cent of my exports and now I'm thinking about leaving the organisation that gives me access to that market and that is responsible for millions of jobs in my country and responsible for an enormous amount of commerce and upon which a lot of businesses depend - that's not something I would probably do.' Mr Obama said Britain's membership of the EU 'enhances the special relationship' because it meant Washington had a trusted partner in Europe on issues including the fight against terrorism. Precisely because I have a confidence in the UK, and I know that if we are not working effectively with Paris or Brussels then those attacks are going to migrate to the United States and to London, I want one of my strongest partners in that conversation. So it enhances the special relationship, it does not diminish it.' Following an intervention which could not have been more supportive, Mr Cameron simply said: 'Barack feels strongly about this and he has said what he said But Justice Minister and Vote Leave spokesman Dominic Raab immediately hit back at Mr Obama. He said: 'The President made clear that uncontrolled immigration into the EU is a threat to national security. I agree - that is why it is safer to take back control so that we can stop terror suspects from Europe coming into the UK. 'He argued that he thinks it is in America's interests for the UK to stay in the EU but what is good for US politicians is not necessarily good for the British people. 'We want more international cooperation after we Vote Leave, but the EU is not fit for purpose, and cannot cope with the multiple crises we face like terrorism, Syria and mass migration. 'The US would not dream of opening its border with Mexico, so it is hypocritical for President Obama to insist that we do the same with Europe.' Tory MP Stewart Jackson accused 'Downing Street spinners' of writing the President's remarks. He added: 'After Hollande it's becoming a bit of a pattern with Cameron: standing next to foreign Presidents threatening the UK Not a good look.' Ukip leader Nigel Farage blasted: 'President Obama does not seem to understand that the EU is a political union, completely different to NATO or the G7. 'President Obama won't be in office by the time we're out of the EU post-referendum. Trade deal of course in both countries interests. 'Last time we followed foreign policy advice from a US President was when we went to war in Iraq. We should be wary

• published: 22 Apr 2016
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