Brexit: Michael Bloomberg says leaving EU 'stupidest thing any country has ever done' - apart from electing Trump
Former New York mayor says he may not have built his £1bn HQ in London had he known the referendum result
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has described Brexit as the "stupidest thing any country has ever done" – apart from the election of Donald Trump as US president.
The American businessman reportedly told a technology conference in Boston two weeks ago that he would have thought twice about building a European headquarters in London had he known the UK was going to quit the EU.
"Maybe I wouldn't have" opened the £1bn City office, he said.
"My former wife was a Brit, my daughters have British passports, so we love England - it's the father of our country, I suppose," Mr Bloomberg said, according to The Guardian.
"But what they are doing is not good and there is no easy way to get out of it because if they don't pay a penalty, everyone else would drop out.
“So they can't get as good of a deal as they had before."
He added: "I did say that I thought it was the single stupidest thing any country has ever done but then we Trumped it."
It comes after the City called for clarity over plans for a post-Brexit transition period by the end of the year.
The City of London Corporation warned Chancellor Philip Hammond it was "critical" details were set out quickly or contingency plans will be put into force.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments