Quote:
Originally Posted by roughbeast
Given the slow down in world economies, especially the Asian and South American zones I do not see that many opportunities for bilateral trade deals for the UK At least in the EU we have the ability to punch above our weight in acquiring trade arrangements and contracts. UKIP particularly are incoherent over this, seeming happy to cut aid to those very countries we will need to trade with.
|
Periods of economic slowdown are when trade deals are most desired. When all is going well there's less desire to interrupt the status quo. Increasing export markets and removing trade barriers gets far more urgency during slowdowns.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roughbeast
Trade is recovering within the EU, albeit slowly, and rather more quickly in the US. I much rather we attracted that trade with a combination of EU clout and our own British flair.
|
Our trade deficit with the EU is increasing. This isn't a good thing for us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roughbeast
I am also concerned that those companies and areas of manufacture that require coordination across borders within the EU will migrate into the membership zone if we leave. I am thinking of aerospace manufactures and the car industry, for example, where components and sections are manufactured here and exported for assembly, or vice-versa. This is enabled by reduced paperwork and non-existent duties. Most north European countries are capable of manufacturing and assembling. Our home skills and expertise only have an edge because we are in the EU trading area.
|
No-one is suggesting we leave a free trade bloc with the EU. The tariff-free trade bloc is considerably larger than the countries that are within the EU's political institutions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roughbeast
I agree that the ultimate solution is total unification, as in the USA. However, this shouldn't happen until populations and states are ready for it and want it. This may never happen. I am one of those who thought the original EEC was just a capitalist club with no interest in the welfare of people or the environment. The EU is a vast improvement, in that respect, because it aims to get capitalism to deploy its acceptable face. However, as a half-way house I agree it is somewhat uncomfortable and impractical at times.
|
So you were unhappy with simple free trade and economic co-operation and wanted to, at least partially, be ruled from Brussels? By definition giving up at least some sovereignty was required for the EU to achieve the aims you applaud. To each their own.
The EU is derided as being corporatist, the weight of its regulations harming smaller businesses in their attempts to compete with larger corporations able to afford compliance departments.
The Tobacco Products Directive, for example. This group you are such a fan of for their getting capitalism to deploy its acceptable face are enacting a policy which, in the UK, is likely to cost lives. We have a high proportion of users on e-cigarettes due to our liberal policies and are being dragged down by the lowest common denominator approach.
I may not like a fair amount of what the UK government, in any colour, may do, but at least I get to send vote to send a representative there rather than, at very best, having my country's representatives outvoted ~25% of the time by groups that none of our country can influence democratically and, at worst, policy direction being entirely due to a group appointed, none directly democratically voted for.
You'd be fine if the House of Lords were the only group able to introduce legislation and decide policy direction for the UK, with the Commons able to amend and reject policies only I guess?
The EU has brought some legislations that may, in your mind, aim to get capitalism to deploy its acceptable face but it's doing nothing in that regard that the UK governments couldn't do if they so chose. Your post implies that you are fine being dictated to as long as you agree with the diktats that are being delivered. I prefer representative democracy and sovereignty, even if I don't like the results.