Bruno Le Maire claimed the European Union has “more pressing priorities” than Brexit, despite saying the UK’s plans could be the undoing of the bloc.
The eurozone’s potential financial meltdown, the migrant crisis and agreeing a shared budget are just some of the mounting concerns hanging over the EU.
Mr Le Maire said he would rather the union concentrates on other matters than agreeing to a Brexit deal.
He said: “The British made their choice, that’s fine. Excuse me to say so brutally, but there are more important things for us than the future of the United Kingdom. It’s the future of the European Union.”
His comments come after EU leaders slammed Theresa May’s White Paper at the EU27 summit in Salzburg last week, which was outright rejected.
He said that Theresa May’s Brexit strategy “doesn’t add up” and would spell the “end of Europe.”
Mr Le Maire said: “If we give the idea that we can exit the European Union and keep all of the benefits of the single market, then it is the end of Europe.
“Sorry to put it bluntly but what is more important for us than the future of the U.K. is the future of Europe.”
Leaders claimed the UK’s tailored Chequers plan would “undermine” the EU single market.
Mr Le Maire’s boss Emmanuel Macron branded Brexiteers liars last week, and said he expected Britain to put forward new proposals next month, with the French President reluctant to let proposals drag on.
Mr Le Maire said far more was at stake for Britain, as all estimates indicated Brexit would have only a limited impact on French economic growth.
But he said: “Chequers is a move in the right direction”, but the deal needed to be closed with a “comprehensive agreement, not one just on goods.”
Echoing the comments of President Macron, Mr Le Maire said: “Any decision that gives European citizens the impression that you can leave the European Union and keep all the advantages would be suicidal.”
Mrs May has insisted she is sticking with her Chequers plan, despite fierce opposition from some in her party.
The embattled leader argued the European Commission (EC) had not given her enough detailed reasons for its rejection of the plan.
Meanwhile, Mr Macron’s cabinet is holding meetings every two weeks to ensure practical preparations are in place should Britain leave the EU without a post-Brexit agreement in place.
The French President defended globalism and the European Union’s open borders immigration policy in his speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations yesterday.
He argued the problems of today’s world come from the rise of nationalist and isolationist policies, that are responsible for breaking up long-lasting relationships between countries and are fuelling mounting conflicts.
He referenced the current migrant crisis sweeping over the European continent, arguing it won’t be solved by the sprouting nationalism or unilateral moves made by single countries such as Britain, Italy or Austria.