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Originally Posted by Chris
Au contraire - we quietly reminded the French that CAP was designed as the unofficial means by which Germany paid reparations to France after 1945, and suggested that if they wanted to continue benefiting from it, their interests would be best served by ensuring the U.K. wasn’t unuly disadvantaged by it (due to having a relatively industrialised, efficient agricultural sector). They agreed. The CAP rules continue to be wonky, they continue to subsidise France’s ludicrous 19th century farming sector, and thanks to Margaret Thatcher (and despite Tony Blair) we aren’t the ones paying for it.
Despite the loud protestations coming from the Élysée Palace, the British rebate is all about preserving French interests.
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Sounds like not a bad deal for the French or us, all the while preserving German hegemony.