LONDON, Feb 1 : European Union citizens arriving in Britain during its post-Brexit transition period should not be afforded the same rights as those who arrived earlier, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.
The embattled leader appears set for a clash with EU negotiators after telling reporters on a trip to China that "there is a difference between those who came prior to us leaving and those who will come when they know the UK is leaving".
She added that the status of such EU citizens would be "a matter for negotiation" when Britain meets with EU officials again in March to set the terms of the transition period, which is expected to last around two years after Britain officially leaves in March 2019.
Brussels on Monday laid down its red lines for a "status quo transition without institutional representation, lasting... to 31 December 2020".
Chinese President Xi Jinping told British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday that their countries should take trade ties to "a new level" as London scouts the globe for fresh partnerships after its contentious EU exit. -AFP
