The countries have warned the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator to soften his stance on the UK and have called for a wide trade deal, according to a Brussels expert.
Director of the Centre for European Reform, Charles Grant, tweeted: “About 10/12 EU states have some concerns about the ‘hard’ line taken by France, Germany and Commission, particularly on the narrow scope of the deal that they appear to want to offer the UK.”
However, Mr Grant said these 12 countries “have different priorities and no leader” so France, Germany and the Commission could win the battle.
This comes as Mr Barnier vowed to punish the UK if we break European laws during the two year transition period which will start in 2019.
Last week, Mr Barnier insisted the UK would be punished if all of Brussels’ rules during the two-year transition were not adhered to.
Mr Barnier expressed a tough stance over the impact on trade in goods and services if the UK leaves the single market and customs union.
He sparked anger on Friday after claiming a transition period was “not a given”.
Theresa May has been urged to reject the EU’s demands for curbs on Britain’s ability to negotiate global trade deals during the Brexit transition period.
Tory Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt acknowledged other member states were getting frustrated with the European Commission’s approach to the Brexit talks.
Ms Mordaunt said: “Other nations involved in this are very pragmatic and have not been impressed with some of the language that the commission has used.”
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski, chairman of the Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland, said: “In private, many Polish politicians are expressing regret at the commission not treating Britain with due consideration and respect.”
The next three weeks will see a series of high profile speeches by Mrs May and her cabinet outlining the government’s vision for Brexit.