From Trump to Estonia, what does the world think about Brexit?

World
Europe

Politicians in the United Kingdom continue to negotiate an exit from the European Union, which has become a global talking point recently, but they are not the only ones debating the merits of Brexit.

U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the Thursday debate, criticizing British Prime Minister Theresa May for not following his negotiating advice, adding that a second referendum would be "unfair."

"It's a very complex thing right now, it's tearing a country apart, it's actually tearing a lot of countries apart and it's a shame it has to be that way, but I think we will stay right in our lane," said Trump.

Deal and delay? How the Brexit week could unfold – in five steps

His comments came at the end of chaotic three days of voting by British lawmakers, who rejected May's deal for a second time but voted against leaving the bloc without a deal and appealed to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50, which would delay Brexit.

The atmosphere inside and outside Parliament has been at times unpredictable and fraught. But what did non-Britons think about Brexit during a complex political week? On the pavements outside the Palace of Westminster, some Europeans were sympathetic to the deadlock.

Ly Vilo, from Estonia, believes the EU has been tough on negotiations. "I believe the European Union doesn't want to make any deal for the UK right now. It's just a bad example for other countries that maybe want to leave the EU," said Vilo.

Ly Vilo speaks to the reporter. /CGTN Photo

Vilo is the chief financial officer for Percival, a software company based both in London's financial district of Bishopsgate and in Estonia's capital Tallinn.

"I lived inside the Soviet Union for 30 years and I see that the European Union is becoming more like the Soviet Union because all decisions are made in Brussels and in previous times it was Moscow," she said.

She added: "In Estonia, more and more people are starting to think and say 'no, it shouldn't be like this,'" but she said the solution is not Brexit: "The best way to change is from inside the European Union."

Activists holding a placard gather outside the Palace of Westminster, London, the UK. /CGTN Photo

Regarding the consequences of Brexit, Benjamin Zirah, an exchange student at the Toulouse Business School in London also expressed his concern, "If Brexit happens, our school will close."

"They say it would be more appropriate to move it to another place like Germany," said Zirah, "I am French, my stepfather is English, I hope to live in London one day. If there is Brexit, it is going to be much harder for me to work here," he added.

Jeanne Caumont lives and studies in Paris. She believes, globally, everyone is "invested" in what happens with the UK's negotiations to leave the EU.

An activist holds a placard outside the Palace of Westminster, London, UK. /CGTN Photo

"Nobody in England is going to have the courage to say 'let's have a [second] referendum to not leave,' because it would put an end to their political career," said Caumont.

Their comments tally with findings of the Pew Research Center which show that 70 percent of the interviewees from 10 EU countries, including Spain, Germany and France, believe Brexit is bad for the EU, while 55 percent think it's wrong for Britain.

"I think it is very unfortunate that Britain is even considering leaving, I think it is a terrible mistake," said Patrick Walthet from Texas, the U.S..

"The U.S. government would still pursue unilateral trade agreements with the UK whether they are part of the EU or not. I don't think it would make much difference to them at all," he said, "I think it is short-term gain for long-term pain."

The UK is braced for another week of political wrangling as May vowed to "fight until the last minute of the time to March 29 for an orderly exit," despite the speaker of the parliament John Bercow ruling her Brexit deal had to be substantially different to be voted on again. She is also due at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday at which she will ask for a delay to Brexit

An activist holds a placard outside the Palace of Westminster, London, UK. /CGTN Photo

Nervous-looking members of the British public continue to campaign outside the Palace of Westminster. They either hold placards to advocating their favored outcomes, such as "Ratify Withdrawal Agreement or Revoke Article 50," or requesting passing motorists to "Just Hoot, We Voted Leave".

On Saturday, Leavers and Remainers will march on Westminster in rival demonstrations but few believe the final outcome by lawmakers will be palatable for either party.

(Cover: Activists gather outside the Palace of Westminster, London, UK. /CGTN Photo)