UK & EU Agree Post-Brexit Trade Deal

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Whilst we agree on its foundation it’s evolved significantly over time and the UK has contributed significantly to it – eg Single Market, State Aid Rules, etc. Seeing it through the lens of a post-war settlement was right once but a more 360 approach is needed in the 21st Century.


I’m not going to speculate on people’s motives for campaigning against EU membership. But to pretend that not being a member results in only short or medium term economic disruption ignores the gravity of trade and the move towards economic blocs. We’re talking about a long-term reduction in our country’s wealth as well as a short-term reduction in the wealth of the country – acknowledged by Dominic Cummings as being more than the entire contributions that the UK has paid into the EU.

By not being in the bloc, our global influence is also weakened, and that’s assuming the UK remains intact and Scotland and Northern Ireland don’t go their respective ways. Brexit plus We might be able to talk about sovereignty, and for sure, we will probably have control of our fishing waters which contribute less than 1% of GDP. I would venture that’s not just modest, but exceedingly modest! But ultimately, the UK will come down to becoming a rule-taker or not taking part in World trade. The lack of trade deals we have been able to sign demonstrates this.


Agreed, which is why I said it will be interesting to see how the new bloc develops over time. It will be helpful to have a comparison to the EU which has hitherto been the largest trading bloc.

Well they say love is blind

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

EU no longer the World's largest trading bloc. And more evidence that World trade is orienting towards such blocs.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54949260

Meaningless figures of course.
An overall GDP figure is meaningless. Although it has more of a meaning a GDP per person doesn't necessarily represent the full picture.
What really matters is how much each household has spare to spend on produce from other countries.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by nomadking

Meaningless figures of course.
An overall GDP figure is meaningless. Although it has more of a meaning a GDP per person doesn't necessarily represent the full picture.
What really matters is how much each household has spare to spend on produce from other countries.

How do they know how much we have spare, and whether we want to spend it on foreign crap (not that there's much choice)

[1andrew1]

Most of the fish caught in British waters goes to the EU because the fish we prefer to eat like cod and haddock comes from the waters around Iceland and Norway. Now the country's fishing leaders have belatedly written to Environment Secretary George Eustice pointing out how leaving the EU will impact the sector.
The BBC's Martyn Oates has shared the letter and spoken with some of the unhappy fishermen.

“Any hold-up in the chain is going to be a complete disaster for us” Brixham fish merchant Ian Perkes."

https://twitter.com/bbcmartynoates/s...60370091323392

https://twitter.com/bbcmartynoates/s...495744/photo/1
https://twitter.com/bbcmartynoates/s...901952/photo/1

BREAKING: Michel Barnier has announced that one of his negotiations team members has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning the talks on trade relations will be delayed.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Mick

BREAKING: Michel Barnier has announced that one of his negotiations team members has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning the talks on trade relations will be delayed.

Delaying tactic because they are losing their arguments?

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

Delaying tactic because they are losing their arguments?

They've maybe learnt a trick or two watching Boris Johnson and Trump.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

Delaying tactic because they are losing their arguments?

Its the UK Govt. that seem to be cacking themselves at the prospect talks stopping.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...land-lockdown/

Downing Street is scrambling to prevent an unforeseen pause in Brexit talks from derailing hopes of a last-minute trade deal.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by daveeb

They've maybe learnt a trick or two watching Boris Johnson and Trump.

[Sephiroth]

Just to say and remind that when we leave the EU's clutches on 31-December, the EU will continue its imperial march by accreting other European states. There can be no other real reason for the likes of Romania and Bulgaria, to name only two, having become EU members.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Just to say and remind that when we leave the EU's clutches on 31-December, the EU will continue its imperial march by accreting other European states. There can be no other real reason for the likes of Romania and Bulgaria, to name only two, having become EU members.

Bribery wasn't it? So the transition from Soviet Communism to Western capitalism went smoothly

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Bribery wasn't it? So the transition from Soviet Communism to Western capitalism went smoothly

You have a point there. But underlying that, was it real altruism on the part of the EU or a piece of imperialist mischief? Or both?

The inclusion since of Croatia and probably later Albania and Serbia, etc., I would put on the imperialist end of the spectrum.

I accept that my use of the word "imperialist" may be somewhat provocative or even pedantic but the EU is not a benevolent entity - it is all about control.

[jonbxx]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Just to say and remind that when we leave the EU's clutches on 31-December, the EU will continue its imperial march by accreting other European states. There can be no other real reason for the likes of Romania and Bulgaria, to name only two, having become EU members.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Turkey, population 76 million, is joining the EU too

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by jonbxx

I'm sure I read somewhere that Turkey, population 76 million, is joining the EU too

Within 100 years of that, thew whole EU will have to face East.
I don't think it's gonna happen!

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by jonbxx

I'm sure I read somewhere that Turkey, population 76 million, is joining the EU too

Well, a couple (in both ways) led development of the Coronavirus vaccine at the company they founded in Germany, BioNTech, so imagine what 76m could do for the EU!