Quote:
Originally Posted by Damien
Well also their terms. Trade deals aren't symmetrical. Governments put in exemptions, rules and other caveats to protect their interests where they can and so what we can get depends on our strength at the table. For example while a trade deal with America will be in both our interests the disparity between the size of the markets and economies means we need it more. Any agreement is far more likely to be lopsided towards them than towards us.
Negotiating with the EU takes longer but is a stronger entity with a bigger market to offer prospective partners.
The idea we're going to sign great deals in the national interest post-Brexit assumes a far more open world than actually exists.
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And the idea that we're going to somehow flounder in the world requires wilful neglect of the fact that we managed perfectly well on our own in the world for our entire national history, except for the last 40 years.
You make it sound, by the way, as if trade in and out of the USA is somehow impossible or punitively expensive outside of any EU trade deal. That's simply not the case. An open market trade deal, of any nature, is going to be better than none at all, but even with none at all, trade can and does go on.