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Some Europeans fear that the proposal also gives Great Britain a competitive advantage.
Extending the post-Brexit transition period, perhaps for another year, would give more time to negotiate details of future relations between Britain and the Union. But it would not please the British, including members of Mrs May's cabinet, who want a faster and clearer break with Brussels.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the EU would be willing to extend a transitional period, but insisted that Britain should not deny previous agreements aimed at preventing a hard border in Ireland.
Before the meeting, Ms. May said that "everyone around the table" wanted an agreement for an orderly British withdrawal and "by working intensely over the next few days and weeks, I think we can reach an agreement ".
Following his meeting with the other leaders, the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said: "I did not perceive anything substantially new in content by listening to Ms. May. The tone was of someone who wanted to reach an agreement. But the content does not change. "
There was better news for Ms. May from the United States. In what was likely to strengthen Ms. May, the Trump government announced that it would begin trade negotiations with Britain – but only after leaving the European Union at the end of March 2019.
Although negotiations may take place, Britain could not sign any trade agreement with another country before the transition period of nearly two years, if not more, while negotiating its own future relations with the European Union. .
According to current understanding, this transition period will last until at least the end of 2020, but could be extended until the end of 2021. Meanwhile, Britain would follow the rules of the year. 39 European Union even though she was not officially a member, and would continue to pay in the bloc's budget.
