Post-Brexit Britain's global ambitions start with investment at home, says PM

[webfact]

Post-Brexit Britain's global ambitions start with investment at home, says PM
By William James

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference in Downing Street on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, in London, Britain December 24, 2020. Paul Grover /Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's push to reinvent its role on the world stage after Brexit must begin with strengthening the union between its home nations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, promising to spread investment across the country.

The government will on Tuesday publish a long-awaited review of foreign policy, defence, security and aid spending, described as Britain's most comprehensive assessment of its ambitions and place in the world order since the end of the Cold War.

It is expected to make the case for a tilt towards Indo-Pacific nations, where Britain sees trading opportunities for its services-based economy, and will be scrutinised for clues on how ministers plan to approach relations with China and Russia.

Ahead of the report, Johnson said the first step was making sure Britain had a robust economy and a strong union between constituent nations England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Our international ambitions must start at home," he said in a statement.

"Through the Integrated Review we will drive investment back into our communities, ensuring the UK is on the cutting-edge of innovation and creating an entire country that is match-fit for a more competitive world."

Dissatisfaction over Brexit has imperilled the stability of the United Kingdom, fuelling increased support for independence in Scotland and new threats to peace in Northern Ireland.

Without providing specifics, Johnson's office said the review would include further commitments to strengthen Britain's core industrial base and create jobs across the whole country.

The government announced it would move some of its operations to Scotland.

The review will prioritise the "creation of an open international order where free trade thrives," the government said.

Since splitting with the European Union, its closest neighbour and trading partner, Britain has promised to reinvigorate an international system disrupted by years of escalating trade wars and the coronavirus crisis.

But there remain question marks over whether it can convert that into lasting change in the face of increasingly fractious relations with the world's second largest economy, China, and an unproven relationship with new U.S. President Joe Biden.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Edmund Blair)

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-15

 

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[Rookiescot]

More bluff and bluster.

Still the faithful will lap it up as proof positive we are on our way to Empire 2.0

[Chomper Higgot]

UK international trade is dropping off a cliff, Johnson responds with hot air promises void of specifics.

The nation’s ports are losing trade so he gets distracted with some fool ideas about Scotland and the home nations.

By the time Johnson has failed and/or done a u-turn on this his latest waffle, the UK’s competitors will have eaten into what remains of the UK’s international trade.

https://www.ft.com/content/55f116d8-6f3b-400a-825a-94be4d379db0

[nauseus]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

UK international trade is dropping off a cliff, Johnson responds with hot air promises void of specifics.

The nation’s ports are losing trade so he gets distracted with some fool ideas about Scotland and the home nations.

By the time Johnson has failed and/or done a u-turn on this his latest waffle, the UK’s competitors will have eaten into what remains of the UK’s international trade.

https://www.ft.com/content/55f116d8-6f3b-400a-825a-94be4d379db0

Not what your link says.

[7by7]

57 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Not what your link says.

It's behind a paywall, so all I can see is the headline "UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade."

So what does it say about our international trade?

Remember that pre Brexit, the EU was by far our largest single trade partner.

[Blue Muton]

Pity Johnson hasn't the decency to invest in an appropriate reward for NHS nurses and other staff.

[7by7]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Post-Brexit Britain's global ambitions start with investment at home, says PM

So yet another U-turn by Boris?

I thought the official line was that all our problems would be solved by Wonder Woman Truss' trade deals and our joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership!

What's changed?

Increased calls for IndyRef2 in Scotland and unrest in Northern Ireland due to being sold out in his protocol, perhaps?

[Pique Dard]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The government announced it would move some of its operations to Scotland.

...hence make some englishmen jobless. boris, admit brexit wasn't a bright idea!

 

[Blue Muton]

2 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

...hence make some englishmen jobless. boris, admit brexit wasn't a bright idea!

 

He knew it was a rotten idea but took the job of heading up the leave campaign for his own benefit.

[nauseus]

4 hours ago, 7by7 said:

It's behind a paywall, so all I can see is the headline "UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade."

So what does it say about our international trade?

Remember that pre Brexit, the EU was by far our largest single trade partner.

I could read the headline for free which reads UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade, not UK international trade is dropping off a cliff!

 

[Rookiescot]

59 minutes ago, nauseus said:

I could read the headline for free which reads UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade, not UK international trade is dropping off a cliff!

 

Trading with the EU is not international?

I think you will find it is since we left the EU.

Or did you forget that bit?

[nauseus]

8 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

Trading with the EU is not international?

I think you will find it is since we left the EU.

Or did you forget that bit?

No. I remembered.

[Scott]

A post with no link to verify its claim has been reported and removed.

 

[bannork]

17 hours ago, 7by7 said:

It's behind a paywall, so all I can see is the headline "UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade."

So what does it say about our international trade?

Remember that pre Brexit, the EU was by far our largest single trade partner.

UK trade with the world apart from the EU increased by £200m in January. In contrast UK trade with the EU decreased by £5.6billion for the same period. The UK government has announced there will be no check on EU imports for the next 2 years. Guess who that benefits? How UK exporters must envy their EU counterparts!

 

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, bannork said:

UK trade with the world apart from the EU increased by £200m in January. In contrast UK trade with the EU decreased by £5.6billion for the same period. The UK government has announced there will be no check on EU imports for the next 2 years. Guess who that benefits? How UK exporters must envy their EU counterparts!

 

The UK is led by captain Mainwaring ????

Let put up trade barriers with our biggest trade partner, and expect it to be better as before ????

But yes trade increased by 200m and fell by 5.6billion so it fell 5.4billion... there is nothing to see here move along ????

[7by7]

21 hours ago, nauseus said:

I could read the headline for free which reads UK exports to EU slump as Brexit hits trade, not UK international trade is dropping off a cliff!

 

So you commented on the article's contents even though you hadn't read it!

International means between different nations. Even before Brexit our trade with the EU was international trade!

As the FT headline says, our exports to the EU, which in 2019 accounted for 43% of all our exports (Source; HoC library), has slumped.

"Exports of goods, excluding non-monetary gold and other precious metals, fell by £5.3 billion (19.3%) in January 2021, because of a £5.6 billion (40.7%) fall in exports to the EU." (Source; ONS)

Maybe our international trade is not dropping off a cliff; but it's certainly teetering on the edge!

Edited March 16, 2021 by 7by7
Addendum

[nauseus]

5 hours ago, 7by7 said:

So you commented on the article's contents even though you hadn't read it!

International means between different nations. Even before Brexit our trade with the EU was international trade!

As the FT headline says, our exports to the EU, which in 2019 accounted for 43% of all our exports (Source; HoC library), has slumped.

"Exports of goods, excluding non-monetary gold and other precious metals, fell by £5.3 billion (19.3%) in January 2021, because of a £5.6 billion (40.7%) fall in exports to the EU." (Source; ONS)

Maybe our international trade is not dropping off a cliff; but it's certainly teetering on the edge!

I was highlighting the difference between the posted claim and the headline linked to it. Just the usual distortion but I never get used to it. Wish I could. 

[7by7]

14 minutes ago, nauseus said:

I was highlighting the difference between the posted claim and the headline linked to it. Just the usual distortion but I never get used to it. Wish I could. 

Had you said "Not what the headline in your link says" you'd have a valid point.

But you said

On 3/15/2021 at 8:11 AM, nauseus said:

Not what your link says.

Headlines do not contain everything which is in the body of the article!

[ShindenGo]

I feel sad for you people. You’ve been tricked by Donald Trump and his failed supporters. Going it alone has never been the answer. Since Trump failed to find a cure for COVID19 it’s up to Joe Biden and the democrats to clean up his mess. You people should remember that it was Trump who brought about your peoples downfall and only through a democrat president can your people be saved...

[nauseus]

12 hours ago, 7by7 said:

Had you said "Not what the headline in your link says" you'd have a valid point.

But you said

Headlines do not contain everything which is in the body of the article!

The body was too costly! ????

[Kwasaki]

My mate Boris forgot to mention future jobs in development of the wind farm projects and the planning of a tunnel between Nth Ireland and Scotland. 

[Rookiescot]

36 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

My mate Boris forgot to mention future jobs in development of the wind farm projects and the planning of a tunnel between Nth Ireland and Scotland. 

A tunnel which will go the same way as his suggestions for a bridge ????

[7by7]

3 hours ago, nauseus said:

The body was too costly! ????

Yet, despite not having read it, you felt qualified to comment on it's contents!

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, 7by7 said:

Yet, despite not having read it, you felt qualified to comment on it's contents!

Not tonight dear.....I have a headache.

[bannork]

5 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

My mate Boris forgot to mention future jobs in development of the wind farm projects and the planning of a tunnel between Nth Ireland and Scotland. 

Right on , Boris is certainly full of wind.

[Kwasaki]

6 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

A tunnel which will go the same way as his suggestions for a bridge ????

OK doom and gloom always from many here as usual.

[bannork]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

OK doom and gloom always from many here as usual.

Realism. The stupidity of Brexit enhanced by Johnson's rejection of an interim period whereby there would be sufficient time to set up the necessary customs checks and personnel.

Now we are a third country regarding the EU with all the disadvantages that brings. What can Johnson replace the market access we previously had with the EU with?

Nothing. The UK has truly shot itself in the foot.

 

[Rookiescot]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

OK doom and gloom always from many here as usual.

You honestly think that tunnel will ever happen?

????

[7by7]

Just now, Rookiescot said:

You honestly think that tunnel will ever happen?

????

Tunnel or bridge; it'll go the same way as his garden bridge proposal when he was London mayor.

Failed London Garden Bridge project cost £53m

Quote

The project promised a lot but delivered nothing, swallowing £43m of public money in the process.

The biggest expenditure was the £21m contract to build the bridge - with campaigners still wanting to know why that was allowed when land had not even been secured.

 

 

[Hi from France]

4 hours ago, bannork said:

Now we are a third country regarding the EU with all the disadvantages that brings. What can Johnson replace the market access we previously had with the EU with?

Alas

More than a just third country, the UK is now a major rival: very close, same industries and intends to scr*w us by all means available, as treaties turn out to be worthless. 

 

The EU really needs to factor this in, we keep on being too naive.

 

 

about this policy paper paper, note that

Quote

 The review is written almost as if the EU did not exist, preferring to mention individual member states. 

so the EU not an enemy yet, but absolutely not a partner

 

and "upholding the rule of law" is not credible

Quote

Behind the rhetoric of the review is a country that has failed to match its words and ambitions to its actions. Britain boasts of its soft power and talks of upholding the rule of law internationally – yet has declared itself happy to break international law when it considers it convenient. Though the paper promises to restore the commitment to spending 0.7% of GDP on aid “when the fiscal situation allows”, slashing the budget is not only undermining the UK’s standing, but global security and stability too.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/16/the-guardian-view-on-defence-and-foreign-policy-an-old-fashioned-look-at-the-future