Failure to reach post-Brexit trade deal 'existential threat' to Ireland: PM Leo Varadkar

'We have to be realistic about the dangers,' the Irish leader said on the day Britain leaves the EU.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (File Photo | AP) 

DUBLIN: A failure by Britain and the European Union to reach a post-Brexit trade deal by the end-of-year deadline would pose an "existential threat" to Ireland, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"We have to be realistic about the dangers," the Irish leader said on the day Britain leaves the EU.

"A failure to secure a trade deal would be a major threat, and an existential threat to our economy in 2021, so we do need that deal."