Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has warned that a no-deal Brexit will have a ‘devasting’ impact on Britain and called on the EU to be more realistic in two high-profile outings seen by some as job applications for a senior Brussels role.

In a front page interview with the Financial Times, Rutte said he was alarmed that Britain appears to be doing nothing to prevent itself crashing out of the EU.

‘At the moment the ball is rolling towards the Dover cliff and we are shouting “stop the ball from rolling any further” but nobody is doing anything at the moment – at least not on the UK side,’ the FT quoted Rutte as saying.

The Netherlands, one of Britain’s biggest trading partners, is likely to be a major loser after Britain pulls out, but Rutte said at the moment the Netherlands is only seeing benefits. He again referred to the ‘250 companies’ which are ‘close to taking a decision to move here’.

Last weekend, the Dutch foreign trade agency said that 60 companies set up operations in the Netherlands because of Brexit in 2017 and 2018.

Rutte gave the interview to the FT and other European newspapers in Zurich where he had been invited to give the annual Churchill lecture at the European Institute of Zurich University.

Reality check

In that speech, Rutte said his key message today is that ‘the EU needs a reality check.’

‘Power is not a dirty word,’ Rutte said. ‘Realpolitik must be an essential part of Europe’s foreign policy toolkit. Because if we only preach the merits of principles and shy away from exercising power in the geopolitical arena, our continent may always be right, but it will seldom be relevant.’

‘I believe that the EU needs to pursue its own interests, in the knowledge that power and principles aren’t mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand,’ the Dutch PM said.

Europe, Rutte said, should stick together ‘now more than ever’.

Chaos

‘If the chaos of Brexit teaches us anything, it’s that there’s no such thing as splendid isolation. I’ve often argued that the mere fact of being embedded in the EU framework makes us stronger and safer,’ he said. 

‘Let me emphasise that, for me, there’s no contradiction between strong member states and a strong EU. Quite the opposite, in fact. Without strong member states there cannot be a strong EU.’

Referring to US president Trump’s strong criticisms of multilateral organisations and the EU, Rutte said: ‘US policies under this president could well be the incentive we need to make changes for the better.’

This could include making the UN more effective, reforming the WTO and making sure that ‘the EU as a whole and European Nato members individually take more responsibility for their own safety and security. Even if that comes with a price tag.’

Rutte is widely regarded in European circles as a strong contender for one of the EU’s top jobs after May’s European parliamentary elections but has consistently denied any interest in moving to Brussels.