Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham Fox reiterated that no commitment would be given on the rights of 2 million EU citizens to remain in the UK until reciprocal rights were agreed for British citizens in Europe.
"The government would like to be able to give a reassurance to EU nationals in the UK, but that depends on reciprocation by other countries," The Guardian quoted Fox as saying.
He also said that any other strategy would mean handing over "one of our main cards in the negotiations and doesn't necessarily make sense at this point".
UK Prime Minister Theresa May previously said that she expects to guarantee the right to remain for EU nationals in UK but also wants the best deal for the British living in the EU.
