This is because an insider from Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union party has told Express.co.uk that Germany needs UK trade to help its export-dependent economy succeed. The spokesman for the Werte Union – a group within the Chancellor’s party which has criticised her leadership – has expressed concerns over how Brexit may impact Germany domestically. Felix Schoenherr told Express.co.uk: “It’s mainly exports, of course the UK is an important market, so we are dependent on that trade relationship as well as our trade with the US, also to China. So this is an issue.

“Apart from that, travel restrictions may be a thing for students and academics who want to go to the UK, but really this is the danger of losing a market we have good trade with.

“I think from a German economic perspective the UK is a very important trade partner, and we should try to get an agreement on both sides.”

Mr Schoenherr highlighted that German car exports also be hit by Brexit.

The UK is one of Germany’s biggest export markets, contributing £67billion to Berlin’s economy in 2019 according to World’s Top Exports.

In 2016, Britain was the largest single export market for German manufacturers, who sold 800,000 new cars there, or 20 percent of their overall global exports.

The German auto industry association VDA said after the 2016 referendum vote that “the consequences of a ‘no deal’ would be fatal”.

It added: “Without an orderly and practical solution for business, jobs in the car industry, particularly on the British side, are on the line.”

Volkswagen does not have any factories in Britain, and relies on imports to serve UK customers.

Volkswagen said after the vote: “We took note of the results of the vote in Britain’s parliament with regret.

“It represents a further phase of uncertainty and hampers our ability to plan ahead. We and the entire industry need clarity about the nature of relations between Britain and the European Union. Every further delay in the Brexit decision-making process puts investment and jobs at risk.”

Mr Schoenherr also warned how Brexit could cause the EU to “break apart”.

He said: “In the general population people are angry about Brexit and disappointed about it – it isn’t just to do with regulation or economics but many people fear that the idea of the European Union is broken, or maybe it will break apart.”

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The Werte Union spokesman highlights how Brexit could also lead to more strain on Germany in the EU budget.

He said: “One problem from a German perspective is of course money because the UK contributed quite a lot to the EU, money which now breaks away.

“Of course, politicians now ask ‘who is going to step in for that?’ And it’s the Germans again.

“The Werte Union demands that the funding introduced for the EU is reduced – but we don’t want to abolish the EU.”

Chancellor Merkel, while reluctant to cave in to other leader’s demands of increased spending, has called for “compromise” among the EU27.

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