Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Sovereignty comes first: Britain lays out tough stance for EU trade talks

Featured Replies

Just now, bannork said:

There is no point in arguing with the faithful, let us just say time will tell.

 

I dont vote Tory or anything else. I just follow politics and speak as I find things are going. So far its a very good start. 

  • Replies 448
  • Views 15.7k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

  • If that happens it would be exactly the same for the EU too and they sell far more into the UK than we do in the other direction. However, Boris is in the party of Red tape cutting not the other way a

  • "Let's not set such rigid red lines that makes it hard to come to an agreement and let's tone down the nationalistic rhetoric."   Yes lets do exactly that Britain will NOT be dictated to tie

  • 555 - cheering on the self inflicted imposition of customs checks and bureaucracy on your own businesses and the resulting higher costs to consumers and calling it ‘sovereignty’.    I’m not

Posted Images

5 hours ago, vinny41 said:

The EU Risks
Tariffs on €47 Billion
Without a Brexit Trade Deal

Germany is poised to take the biggest blow, with €18.8 billion of its goods potentially subject to tariffs—about as much as the combined value of close U.K. trade partners Belgium, Spain, Netherlands and France.

The €17.5 billion of autos Germany shipped to the U.K. in 2018 would incur levies from 10% to 16%, adding €1.8 billion to the cost of doing business. Automobiles—including cars, heavy-goods vehicles and motorcycles—are by far the largest category by trade value targeted, making up more than 77% of would-be tariffable 2018 exports and affecting every member country.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-no-deal-brexit-trade-tariffs-european-union/

The tariff effect works in both directions. In the end, UK export products and EU export products will become more expensive for all European end users. In between, the exchange rate hinge also has a monetary effect. The additional customs clearance procedures will also make trade between the EU and the UK more expensive. All those involved have been aware since 3,5 years, that the Brexit is economically a loose, loose situation.

That is nothing new.

 

1 hour ago, englishoak said:

 

Not if its distributed better and Boris does what hes promised, this is effectively day one with another 5 years at least to come. You assume Britain isnt going to change, I say there is NO other choice but to and im beginning to think just maybe Boris is going to do his best to make it actually happen... time will tell but this PM is by far the most learned, shrewd and smart cookie we have had in a long long time. 

I understand you are coming at this from an agnostic starting point, but for the brexit true believers Singapore on Thames would be their worse nightmare!

 

As probably one of the most international cities in the world, it would demand the attention of the money markets and government, to the detriment of the rest of the country. 
 

To redistribute any of that wealth away would be a contradiction of basic Tory values (SOCIALIST!!!) and they’d be relying on good old Thatcherite trickle down theory to benefit their new loyal subjects in the outlands.

 

But it isn’t that I’m not a half glass full guy. The outlanders will have a new group of people to blame for their self inflicted failings.

 

Anyone from the new global elite who will make London their home to the Bengali migrant workers (a la Singapore) to do the low paid stuff. Instead of sticking it to the poles and other Eastern Europeans they’d be able to crack even more Londonistan jokes here on TV, and bang on about how the ‘native Brits’ have been left out (again...). 
 

So Singapore on Thames? Bring it on I say!

1 hour ago, bannork said:

Fallen already mate after Johnson announced his hardline approach to the EU.

I don't know what the British public are gonna feel like when they realise Johnson has ordered a minimum 5% cut in spending across all departments barring health, crime and regional inequality after 10 years of Tory austerity already.

Seems like there's no money spare after all.

https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/109485/sajid-javid-orders-ministers-find-5-cuts

 

 

canvas.png

Brexit is currently the UK's most expensive project. The whole thing is mainly financed with new loans. The extent to which the Brexit project will provide the necessary cash flows for debt repayment and interest is up in the stars. 

The UK is currently as far from a solid state budget as a giraffe's a.s.s is far from the head.

  • Popular Post
54 minutes ago, englishoak said:

 

Im as curious as you. but no hes not convinced just the working class my man hes got a good % of all the rest too.  You fail to appreciate almost the entire Tory party is also behind him and a good chunk of the business community too. 

 

Those who make all the noise are im afraid the minority and it isnt working anymore, now the silent majority has spoken, it has its champion and so far hes not only standing firm but the more the MSM bleat and cry the more support he will gain and as confidence grows that silent majority will just get on with the job at hand. all Boris has to do is stay confident and strong or appear to, deliver only just some of his promises and the people will do the rest.  

 

im sure its a scary time for some but for most others its a very exiting one and the days of cannot, fear and doom and gloom are fading into the background pretty quickly, there is a buzz in the air i havnt noticed since the rise of Thatcher and i guess Blair. Its rather good to see a strong gov again and well overdue, 

Do you really believe that it was anything other than his promise of delivering Brexit that swayed the vote? 

 

Let's be honest here - the man has led a life of deceit and dishonesty in every aspect for decades, from personal to professional. Eddie Mair was bang on the money when he told him he thought he was a nasty piece of work.

 

But he is also a master manipulator. He doesn't give a toss about the man in the street; he could not care one jot about regular people and the daily grind they have to endure, but he knows that he needs to get them onside if he wants to satisfy his massively overgrown and wholly undeserved sense of entitlement. 

 

That is why Heseltine said that he looks to see what way the crowd is heading before jumping in front, shouting 'follow me'. He has no principles or conviction other than to self. That he has suckered so many people into thinking that he is actually a decent human being and is on their side is impressive to say the least. 

  • Popular Post
3 minutes ago, samran said:

I understand you are coming at this from an agnostic starting point, but for the brexit true believers Singapore on Thames would be their worse nightmare!

 

As probably one of the most international cities in the world, it would demand the attention of the money markets and government, to the detriment of the rest of the country. 
 

To redistribute any of that wealth away would be a contradiction of basic Tory values (SOCIALIST!!!) and they’d be relying on good old Thatcherite trickle down theory to benefit their new loyal subjects in the outlands.

 

But it isn’t that I’m not a half glass full guy. The outlanders will have a new group of people to blame for their self inflicted failings.

 

Anyone from the new global elite who will make London their home to the Bengali migrant workers (a la Singapore) to do the low paid stuff. Instead of sticking it to the poles and other Eastern Europeans they’d be able to crack even more Londonistan jokes here on TV, and bang on about how the ‘native Brits’ have been left out (again...). 
 

So Singapore on Thames? Bring it on I say!

 

I Think its going to be quite different than just the city and more of the old same, or Boris wont see another term and I dont think hes stupid enough to allow that and nor are his advisers imo. Trade free zones and free ports can invigorate neglected regions, Fishing being an island and traditionally sea faring nation is another industry that can do the same and would be welcomed, both can be initiated relatively quickly and would carry a good amount of jobs and investment outside of the city and more importantly the north would be the logical and promised focus of that. 

 

We live in times that will need some socialist type policies mixed in with the old Tory values... Blair used Tory policies and was often referred to as Tory lite but it worked for a couple of terms. I suspect with the need for support and social concerns plus a large % of his new flock being from old Labour seats and regions  Boris might well do the same  and has already nationalised a Rail line in bad shape. 

 

The old Tory party is as much new as new labour was and its values and policies as they evolve  i think will reflect that. There has to be a massive shift here and Tory trickle down on its own will not work I agree, but coupled with more of a humane face and a need to transform things rapidly  it is just possible if some ideas from both sides of the isle are married in the centre. Boris really isnt one of the old elite, hes had an excellent education but hes not Cameron or Major either

 

The entire world is by definition racist and thats fine and perfectly normal imo, in group preference is the natural default for humans.  I also know from being relatively widely travelled its worse almost everywhere in the world than Britain and its true if there Bengali slaves it will be the rich and mainly overseas elite employing them not the British.

 

It is true the city and investment will be a large part of any success and there will no doubt be a price to pay by some, I dont expect nor want a utopia and im sure there will always be some unhappy campers no matter what. Times they are a changing, we are just beginning to get used to tech, the group think and screeching individuals on twitter etc  moving millions but that i think is beginning to fade as people become bored by hearing it all the time and new generations will continue to filter out the noise as more time passes... the world is in the best state it has ever been in and in very much a glass three quarters full kinda guy. 

 

Yup i agree Singapore on Thames bring it on, the country will prosper still and with free ports et al much will be gained by other regions badly left behind to date. 

  • Popular Post
20 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Do you really believe that it was anything other than his promise of delivering Brexit that swayed the vote? 

 

Let's be honest here - the man has led a life of deceit and dishonesty in every aspect for decades, from personal to professional. Eddie Mair was bang on the money when he told him he thought he was a nasty piece of work.

 

But he is also a master manipulator. He doesn't give a toss about the man in the street; he could not care one jot about regular people and the daily grind they have to endure, but he knows that he needs to get them onside if he wants to satisfy his massively overgrown and wholly undeserved sense of entitlement. 

 

That is why Heseltine said that he looks to see what way the crowd is heading before jumping in front, shouting 'follow me'. He has no principles or conviction other than to self. That he has suckered so many people into thinking that he is actually a decent human being and is on their side is impressive to say the least. 

 

I think your being incredibly emotional and taking  people in politics way too personal to even be anything but ultra biased. Your never going to give anyone south of the border a  chance so excuse me if i take little notice of your opinion of the guy. Everyone in politics has their haters but I try to keep an open mind and look at results rather than just listen to others critique.  The proof will be in some years time. I can say from experience as London mayor and working with his team he was very successful despite the critics he got things done while keeping people smiling, it goes a long way when you roll up your sleeves and get in there with people on the ground and hes always been good at that. So im willing to give the man a fair crack at things before ripping him down. I cant think of no other political figure as capable given we are out to do so. 

1 minute ago, englishoak said:

 

I think your being incredibly emotional and taking  people in politics way too personal to even be anything but ultra biased. Your never going to give anyone south of the border a  chance so excuse me if i take little notice of your opinion of the guy. Everyone in politics has their haters but I try to keep an open mind and look at results rather than just listen to others critique.  The proof will be in some years time. I can say from experience as London mayor and working with his team he was very successful despite the critics he got things done while keeping people smiling, it goes a long way when you roll up your sleeves and get in there with people on the ground and hes always been good at that. So im willing to give the man a fair crack at things before ripping him down. I cant think of no other political figure as capable given we are out to do so. 

I am 'biased' but you have decided that I will never give any English PM a chance? If I wasn't so calm in my advancing middle age, I might take offence at the suggestion. I did think you had a greater ability to see more than 1 dimension; maybe I was wrong.

 

If you have such insight into his tenure as mayor, do you know where the £40 odd million of taxpayers' money he shelled out for the Garden Bridge disaster disappeared to?

 

 

  • Popular Post
1 minute ago, RuamRudy said:

I am 'biased' but you have decided that I will never give any English PM a chance? If I wasn't so calm in my advancing middle age, I might take offence at the suggestion. I did think you had a greater ability to see more than 1 dimension; maybe I was wrong.

 

If you have such insight into his tenure as mayor, do you know where the £40 odd million of taxpayers' money he shelled out for the Garden Bridge disaster disappeared to?

 

 

 

We both know your salty because Scotland is not getting another ref under Boris. but Ok so tell me what past PMs you admire or liked then ? 

 

Im not the accountant so no I dont, I just supplied staff sometimes,  what kind of stupid question is that ? 40m is nothing in macro terms and not all ideas work, I can bet there are plenty in Scotland too but so what  ? some are just plain stupid and that was one, it wasnt wanted or needed as any londoner could have told you, Ken (  I supplied his team too ) wasted that and more on bendy buses that couldnt fit streets a  thames gateway bridge (cancelled ) and other projects ,  least its only money, the current one stopped the police doing their jobs so people have been getting stabbed and killed for years ho hum.... some things work, others dont and taxes get wasted. Nearly every gov planned project goes over budget lad you know that, even the ones that are finished, its all tax payer money, dosnt matter what party it is. Not many think Boris did a bad job as Mayor especially Londoners, cant say the same for the current one, absolute disaster he is. 

 

I answered your Scottish Q in the other thread btw, 

 

 

  • Popular Post
2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well he’s managed to con the working class to vote for his lies and easy promises, so yes he is a shrewd cookie.

 

Now let’s see what he does in return.

Boris's speech in Greenwich yesterday was the best Prime Ministers speech since ???????? evicted the ????????'s in 1982. The 'ficker than us' & 'didn't know wot they voted for' rhetoric from the 2016 silver medalists failed to prevent the iron will of the people from being implemented last Friday and it's high time the 'hard rejoiners' (as they're currently known) acknowledged that their efforts to thwart democracy failed.

 

Boris's also made this statement in the house.

11 minutes ago, englishoak said:

 

We both know your salty because Scotland is not getting another ref under Boris. but Ok so tell me what past PMs you admire or liked then ? 

 

Im not the accountant so no I dont, I just supplied staff sometimes,  what kind of stupid question is that ? 40m is nothing in macro terms and not all ideas work, I can bet there are plenty in Scotland too but so what  ? some are just plain stupid and that was one, it wasnt wanted or needed as any londoner could have told you, Ken (  I supplied his team too ) wasted that and more on bendy buses that couldnt fit streets a  thames gateway bridge (cancelled ) and other projects ,  least its only money, the current one stopped the police doing their jobs so people have been getting stabbed and killed for years ho hum.... some things work, others dont and taxes get wasted. Nearly every gov planned project goes over budget lad you know that, even the ones that are finished, its all tax payer money, dosnt matter what party it is. Not many think Boris did a bad job as Mayor especially Londoners, cant say the same for the current one, absolute disaster he is. 

 

I answered your Scottish Q in the other thread btw, 

 

 

I'm not sure that we need another ???????????????????????????? hi-jacking after the mauling Ian Blackford received in this video.

  • Popular Post
2 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

Do you really believe that it was anything other than his promise of delivering Brexit that swayed the vote? 

 

Let's be honest here - the man has led a life of deceit and dishonesty in every aspect for decades, from personal to professional. Eddie Mair was bang on the money when he told him he thought he was a nasty piece of work.

 

But he is also a master manipulator. He doesn't give a toss about the man in the street; he could not care one jot about regular people and the daily grind they have to endure, but he knows that he needs to get them onside if he wants to satisfy his massively overgrown and wholly undeserved sense of entitlement. 

 

That is why Heseltine said that he looks to see what way the crowd is heading before jumping in front, shouting 'follow me'. He has no principles or conviction other than to self. That he has suckered so many people into thinking that he is actually a decent human being and is on their side is impressive to say the least. 

This exactly describes Angela Merkel as well 'look and see what way the crowd is heading before jumping in front to shout 'follow me''.

 

I am afraid this is the new breed of politicians we are cursed with. Gone are the days of integrity and leadership, a Helmut Kohl, Helmut Schmidt, Alan Clark or Tony Benn, men of principle. Now we get liars and fair weather politicians.

 

As likeable as Boris is, he is a well documented liar who gave up the address of a man when his Eton pal asked him to so he could beat him up. 

 

Still, at least we are not dealing with outright murderers like Trump, Obama and all the other Chicago presidents from the States. I hope not, anyway.

 

As for Singapore on Thames, of course that will never happen. The UK is a real country and needs its tax revenues like crack, just look at its gold medal winning trade deficit. Besides, Singapore has an inventive electronics industry, the UK has Kenwood toasters.

9 hours ago, TheDark said:

I believe now EU as well as all the countries are better able to tell what UK can or can not do.

 

The trade negotiations are starting and each side will project it's power towards other.

 

There also will be international courts, which's rulings UK has to abide. That is if UK wishes to conclude trade deals with others. It would be quite unfair to let either party to rule the cases in their national courts. 

quote "There also will be international courts, which's rulings UK has to abide. That is if UK wishes to conclude trade deals with others. It would be quite unfair to let either party to rule the cases in their national courts."

 

You conveniently forgot that the EU also has to abide the rules.

  • Popular Post

The point rather is that the British will be desperate to sell products to Europe.

 

If they want access to this sexy, big breasted, large, foxy market they will have to pay whatever tariffs, follow whatever rules the EU tells them to.

 

Our market. Our rules.

23 minutes ago, Logosone said:

This exactly describes Angela Merkel as well 'look and see what way the crowd is heading before jumping in front to shout 'follow me''.

 

I am afraid this is the new breed of politicians we are cursed with. Gone are the days of integrity and leadership, a Helmut Kohl, Helmut Schmidt, Alan Clark or Tony 

 

Still, at least we are not dealing with outright murderers like Trump, Obama and all the other Chicago presidents from the States. I hope not, anyway.

 

 

 forgetting Tony Blair much? Or how the British Empire was acquired?

4 hours ago, bannork said:

Fallen already mate after Johnson announced his hardline approach to the EU.

I don't know what the British public are gonna feel like when they realise Johnson has ordered a minimum 5% cut in spending across all departments barring health, crime and regional inequality after 10 years of Tory austerity already.

Seems like there's no money spare after all.

https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/109485/sajid-javid-orders-ministers-find-5-cuts

 

 

canvas.png

yeah, frankly a hard line approach is almost isolationist.  So much could happen. 

  • Popular Post
On 2/3/2020 at 7:24 AM, Victornoir said:

You reverse the facts and distort history.


1870, 1914, 1939 ... 3 successive European wars mainly between Germans and French. Millions of deaths for nothing.
It was to stop this that the EU was formed and so far it has worked perfectly. The common market was only a happy consequence.

 

The UK Atlantist was not invited and only participate after repeated requests, year after year. Now it leave and in my eyes it is rather a good thing for the future.

Whereas you just distort the both facts and history (except for the last sentence).

10 hours ago, bannork said:

Reporters have boycotted a briefing on Boris Johnson's Brexit plans after Downing Street ordered senior journalists from some of the UK's major news organisations to leave.

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/journalists-boycott-number-10-briefing-on-brexit-1-6496569

 

 

yes, saw that on the news

not a smart move by BJ to upset the msm gang

particularly with the silly explanation offered at the time

 

On 2/3/2020 at 1:07 PM, Logosone said:

"sovereignty trumps the economy."

 

It has to for Britain. In the past 30 years, the UK's manufacturing sector has shrunk by two-thirds.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/nov/16/why-britain-doesnt-make-things-manufacturing

 

Britain is one of the world's most indebted countries, per capita GDP. Huge trade deficit with the EU.

 

Eighty percent of its economy is now services, it hardly makes any goods worth trading with, but is a nation of servants desperately trying to sell its services.

 

Italy now produces more than the UK. So does India.

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/456342/realtive-comparison-of-value-added-in-manufacturing-of-leading-countries/

 

Why would Boris care about what can't be helped, the eventual economic decline of Britain, when he can dance and fiddle on the Titanic of sovereign greatness with the ghosts of visions past?

 

You have to feel sorry for the UK. Watch how they desperately cling to the straw of an ailing car manufacturer like Nissan. Toyota have said nothing of the kind, have they? In fact BMW and Toyota have made clear that if the UK fails to secure a good deal with the EU they're out.

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/03/05/bmw-toyota-sound-no-deal-brexit-alarm/

 

But that's the pathetic state Britain is in now. With two thirds of its manufacturing output irretrievably lost the British have to depend on stronger economies like Japan, German and the US building plants in the UK to feed the UK population. It's sad really. 

Copied from another thread but as it is obvious that being an EU member has not helped us at all, it makes the leave case even stronger.

On 2/3/2020 at 1:31 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

The economy, or at least the economic impacts on working people have never concerned the Tories.

 

It was Thatcher who declared the UK a post industrial nation, and directed national policy away from

manufacturing to the service industries.

 

 

After the communists had turned industries into profitless jellies.

On 2/3/2020 at 1:37 PM, Logosone said:

Yes, you're such a great nation that you desperately hope and pray that Nissan, Toyota and BMW keep building plants in the UK to feed your countrymen, lol.

 

I call that dependence on stronger economies.

 

Let's suppose that sovereignty argument was true, it's a nonsense of course, since the UK had no real issues to govern itself and EU law encroachment was barely significant, what would you have gained? The sovereignty to be in the driving seat of nation whose economy is now 80 per cent services, a nation of servants. A nation that has a serious debt problem, and no longer pays its own way, that needs debt like crack? Do you think free access to the EU market would have helped you to sell UK services? Possibly yes, non? Lol.

 

You're not 'Great'. And you never were. Without the exclusive access to the countries you stole from and tyrannised for centuries you can't even compete! You just gave up! You don't make things anymore, even Italy and India produce more than the UK. All you are is Greatly INDEBTED.

 

And you will continue to be so for generations. You will have to go to the capital markets to finance the benefits you pay out to the elderly and unemployed. Did you know that Moody's downgraded the UK?

 

"Moody’s, which stripped the country of its AAA rating in 2013, well before the 2016 Brexit referendum, and downgraded it again in 2017, said on Friday it was affirming its Aa2 rating on Britain’s sovereign debt."

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/08/moodys-downgrades-outlook-on-uks-rating-on-brexit-paralysis.html

 

Great, lol.

 

 

More mush n Moodies!

  • Popular Post
On 2/3/2020 at 2:42 PM, Logosone said:

 

Yet that is exactly what you then do, lol. 

 

 

Well, but you're not doing that at all, you are not measuring Britons today by their achievements, you are measuring Britain today by the supposed achievements of other, long departed Britons. Britons who, I may say, would turn in their graves if they could see what Britain today has become. Why don't you do what you say you do, measure Britons today by their achievements and what they do?

 

I think you'll find that Italy and India now 'outdo' Britain, produce more than Britain. I think you'll find that Britain has more debt per capita GDP than any other major nation. I think you'll find you are a nation of servants, 80 per cent of your economy is services. I think you'll find you're so 'great' that even your own constituents like the fine Scottish people no longer wish to be part of this UK. 

 

As for your history, you built a global strategy of theft on unashamed piracy, made a mess of Palestine, Kenya, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, and of course Northern Ireland. To this day India still has to overcome the centuries of theft and exploitation, its colonial past continues to overshadow its progress. Here is what a British historian had to say about your history, after your own prime minister at the time admitted that most of the world's political issues were created by Britain:

 

"Detention without trial, beatings, torture, and killings punctuated the twilight years of colonial rule. The disclosure this week of a large tranche of Foreign Office files, hitherto kept secret about full extent of British brutality against Mau Mau in Kenya, suggests there may be further revelations still to come."

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12992540

 

Like every other nation your history is a mix of the criminal, fortuitious, shameful and glorious, though decidely skewed to the criminal in Britain's case. Your whole empire was founded on piracy and lying and stealing from the natives.

 

Call that 'Great' if it helps you sleep at night, I do not consider Britain great in any way whatsoever. Greatly deluded by visions of grandeur maybe.

 

That you are now reduced to claim credit for Le Pen's movement, as if that were a mark of greatness, I have to say, how low the British have sunk. The great shift to the right long pre-dated the Farages of this world, if anything Le Pen can claim credit for it.

 

 

Yes, it also takes note when a Norwegian goes on a shooting spree, why, you think Britain rules the world? Are you wearing a Rule Britannia suit now? Lol. 

 

I bet you do, I bet at night when you wear your Union Jack pyjamas you are praying that Nissan, BMW and Toyota keep their car plants in the UK to ensure that the great nation of Britain can continue to feed its own people. 

 

How great to be dependent on Japanese, German and American manufacturers building plants in your great country to keep your great British employed.

Rent-a-rant

On 2/3/2020 at 3:09 PM, tebee said:

So should the EU send all the sick old UK retirees in the EU back to the UK (inc ME!) and overwhelm the NHS too?

 

You can't come tebee. The rest are OK. ????

On 2/3/2020 at 3:27 PM, Logosone said:

Of course it is strictly for domestic consumption. Boris is trying to galvanize the Union Jack pyjamas.

 

I like Boris very much and he is an exceptionally intelligent man. If you seriously believe economic considerations are not foremost considerations in his mind, as the PM, you'll believe anything. He's just trying to stoke the nationalist fires. It worked so well in the past.

 

Then again, Boris is also a Little Englander at heart. It's his weakness.

 

Boris may truly believe that Britain can buy more from the US, less from the EU. Unfortunately for him Britain is not a directed economy a la China. The British will continue to clamour for Renaults, BMWs, Nutella, Alessi, and British ladies will continue to buy Zara clothes. 

 

The idea that Britain can reduce its deficit by buying from the US, Canada and Botswana is, frankly, pure fantasy. The demands of the British people will decide. And most British are not so stupid as to not want the best product. That is, in many cases, a European product.

 

Of course the EU technocrats are dying to punish the UK for what they went through and they can't be seen to reward the UK for leaving. However, this is balanced by the fact that national governments still want a part of the UK market.

 

"For what they went through". Utterly pathetic. 

On 2/3/2020 at 5:03 PM, puipuitom said:

Exactly as Charles de Gaule said for years: the British do NOT feel themselves a part of Continental Europe, big chance for frustration and sabotage, so… NEVER let them in the EEC.  He was over 99 % right.

I can agree with that one.

23 hours ago, samran said:

Um, the EU won’t put tariffs on their own exports. That is the UKs decision....

 

Actually, on WTO terms, it is the WTO's decision, because another WTO member will bring it to court if the rules aren't followed. Unless the UK could successfully argue to treat EU imports under a most favored nation clause, they would be required to charge the same import tariff on EU goods as any other WTO member.

 

Neither side has much flexibility under WTO terms, which is why a treaty of some kind will be signed. But what is in that treaty will be the interesting question.

 

On 2/3/2020 at 5:09 PM, puipuitom said:

Nice, all these tax cuts, but.. any idea, where the UK will get the funds from to pay all what is necessary to run a country ? Not to forget the 350 mln pounds per week for the NHS !

As lost contributor to the EU budget: that soon will be covered by import duties of UK products into the EU: a LOT more.

The GDP of Greece is growing again, that of Italy and France are about the size of the UK ( and higher as of the Single Kingdom), with more trade treaties ratified than the UK will have in a decade.

The big wide world… is really waiting for you … as supplier maybe, but NOT as customer for British products. Please donot forget it is NOT the times of the 19th + beginning of the 20th century, when "negociation" for the British meant: "we give a proposal, and.. when YOU bend enough for us, maybe we will add a few crumbs for you".

Any import duties of UK products into the EU will have to be matched by similar reciprocal duties, which will be more than a LOT more and which will damage the EU budget more than it is going to be already. Yes, Greece is growing again but it is slow and their debt is still crippling. 

23 hours ago, Logosone said:

 

I'm glad you raise this point. 

 

Europeans have just under €10 trillion at their disposal in 2019. Per capita purchasing power grew by approximately 3.5 percent in 2019, which is significantly higher than last year’s value.

 

https://www.gfk.com/insights/press-release/europeans-spend-eur14739-per-person-in-2019/

 

 

The European/EU differential is important here. How interesting that the top two countries in the purchasing power rankings (namely Liechtenstein and Switzerland) are not in the EU. 

20 hours ago, puipuitom said:

No country is RULED by the EU. Why you British did not learn anything how the EU works ? 

 

First of all: the EU Parliament, with elected representatives of each member state. Not so much influence.

 

2) The EU Commission, with a commissioner from each EU member state. As president: Von der Leyen ( in the part: Juncker). Are allowed to do investigation, proposals etc. Kind of council of minsters.

 

3) EU Council, existing of the leader of government of each EU member state, and in fact the only one with power. President: Michel. In the past: Tusk. Even when the EU Parliament wanted THEIR "Spitzenkandidat" as president of the Commission, it failed completely, as.,. the EU P has NOTHING to say about who will be elected by the EU Council as president of the Committee.

 

In that Council always the Prime Minister of the UK was one of the members, so, if he/she did NOT agree, nothing would happen.

 

Same old mush. Juncker happened...even after Dodgy Dave said no no no! ???? 

20 hours ago, puipuitom said:

Since when the EU ever had anything what looks like a "military... wheatever ? 

All military activities were done OR under NATO  or a temporary Alliance of nations. NEVER any involvement of the EU. Not in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Balkan whatsoever.

Time you learn to read !

You're right - they haven't - but that's what they want now. Please get up-to-date.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.