Why Shouldn't We Just Walk Away?
Please correct me if I’m wrong. I’m not really into the economics of the trade deals currently due to take place. It’s only what I read that makes me think - why are we even bothering?
Before Trade talks have even started, we have Barnier and his merry men making demands that if it wasn’t so serious a topic, it would be laughed out by any negotiating team in any room.
Take for instance what is happening at the moment. We have 10.½ months to go before we either sign off with a trade deal or loathe though we would be to, we simply walk.
Sounds like the same ol’ same ol’ that the EU are trying to start all over again.
Which made me ponder - Do we really want or even need a trade deal with the EU? I hear often on OFF that of course we do, that the EU is our largest trading partner, but do we?,
do we really need one?
Okay, if the EU puts a stop to acting so juvenile and hard to work with, such as their outrageous demand that the UK has to sign up to regulatory alignment on labour and no doubt; will try their luck with demanding harmonising taxes. There shouldn’t be any need to not have a friendly no tariff deal with the EU and then get them to fully understand that we are serious over our own courts dealing with our laws, freedom of movement, and the right of the UK to decide who we allow to fish in our waters are not and never will be, up for negotiation.
I can understand that they are probably (and rightly) fearful of the UK as their nearest neighbour becoming deregulated and undercutting them with taxes, welfare and labour markets,(our choices, our decisions), hence the reason why I believe they are being so hard-faced and spewing out these ridiculous demands in order for us to be allowed the privilege of gaining access to the EU markets. The problem with Barnier & Co is that they became so accustomed to dealing with first Cameron and then May during their respective reigns, they easily became used to being ‘top dog’ and disrespectful. Even the smallest member state leaders were disgracefully arrogant and rude to May. Does anyone remember every time the EU came out with a statement during that time of negotiations with May. It always seemed to be a case of “The EU will “give” the UK”......etc. Certainly seemed to be a case of the EU dealing with us as an insignificant little country not worthy of the respect of equal negotiations.
Apparently they still haven't realized things are no longer the same. Their problem is that they still haven’t grasped the fact that they are no longer dealing with an avid Remainer and a closet Remainer, but a real beating heart British Brexit Bulldog?!!
That’s why I wonder why don’t we just walk away from them?
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Wasn’t it publicised not so long ago that the UK’s trade with the EU is in decline anyway? From what I read our exports have been declining by about 1% a year. Surely with their weak economy, that will only continue. In fact, as we mainly export services and digital products, distance is not important. To be honest, Europe is becoming less important to us every year.
Also, what if and when we get a trade deal with the US? Isn’t there a danger that the deal may become incompatible with the EU? Both countries are like chalk and cheese with their regulations, Brussels still hasn’t managed to agree a deal with them after years of negotiations. Do you think it may well come to a choice for us between a deal with the EU or the US? Personally, I think if it came to a choice it would have to be the US as it’s economy is growing faster than the EU's and surely they are more compatible with our services and tech economy.
Besides, our businesses here in the UK have been through years of unnecessary hell with Project Fear and No Deal deadlines. Now it’s blatantly obvious to everyone that the EU would be happy for this to continue. They have nothing to lose, so months of wrangling, ridiculous concessions, delays and yet another extension would be right up their street, while our own businesses would continue to suffer due to the uncertainty., Surely then, perhaps the best thing to do with the EU's second bout of intransigence, is to just walk out, walk away and move on and operate under WTO rules. Okay. we will have to take a hit, but we would deal with it and get on with being an independent country dealing with the rest of the world in trade.
I would have thought it's a no brainer really, but what do I know.
What are your thoughts?