Trump says Brexit to be 'a great thing', wants very substantial cut in nuclear weapons

[webfact]

Trump says Brexit to be 'a great thing', wants very substantial cut in nuclear weapons

By William James

REUTERS

 

A microphone rises above U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said that Brexit would turn out to be a great thing and other countries would follow Britain out of the European Union but promised to strike a swift bilateral trade deal with the United Kingdom.

 

Speaking in an interview with The Times of London newspaper five days before his inauguration, Trump described himself as a big fan of Britain and endorsed last year's vote to leave the European Union.

 

"I think Brexit is going to end up being a great thing," Trump said. "I’ll tell you, the fact that your pound sterling has gone down? Great. Because business is unbelievable in a lot of parts in the UK."

 

The June 23 vote took many investors and chief executives by surprise, triggering the deepest political and financial turmoil in Britain since World War Two and the biggest ever one-day fall in sterling against the dollar.

 

Sterling has since fallen further against the U.S. dollar as traders, businesses and investors fret about the type of relationship Britain will have with its biggest single trading partner after it leaves the bloc.

 

Trump's election campaign seized on the Brexit vote as an example of disillusioned voters rising up against the political establishment, and he forged a friendship with leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage - a fierce critic of Prime Minister Theresa May.

 

'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP'

 

Trump's election has raised questions over the future of the so called 'special relationship' that has underpinned close British-American ties for decades.

 

But in Sunday's interview Trump played up his ancestral ties to Britain, saying his Scottish mother was "so proud" of Queen Elizabeth, and said he was eager to get a trade deal done.

 

“We’re gonna work very hard to get it done quickly and done properly. Good for both sides,” Trump said. “I will be meeting with [May]. She’s requesting a meeting and we’ll have a meeting right after I get into the White House ... we’re gonna get something done very quickly.”

 

However, he predicted that more countries would seek to follow Britain's example and quit the EU.

 

"I believe others will leave," he said. "If refugees keep pouring into different parts of Europe . . . I think it’s gonna be very hard to keep it together because people are angry about it."

 

He singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel - whose open-door policies have allowed about 1.1 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere into Germany since mid-2015 - calling her immigration policy a catastrophic mistake. [L5N1F50SD]

 

(Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-16

[Andaman Al]

Trump later said he would reduce the nuclear arsenal by firing a few off. We have em why can't we use em?

[Langsuan Man]

wants very substantial cut in nuclear weapons

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Editing by Guy Faulconbridge

 

In which he did not reveal where Trump said anything about nuclear weapons , read the story above and show where is says anything about the secondary headline

 

What he has said has been tweeted :

 

 

 

[steve187]

at last something positive about the UK

[CliffH]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

at last something positive about the UK

Up to now it's been positively negative.

[mike324]

2 hours ago, steve187 said:

at last something positive about the UK

 

Countries in the EU have said UK can't get all the benefits without being a member, so there will be some economic consequences such as taxation.

 

 

[mike324]

This is the only thing I agree with Trump on in regards to policies on immigration. On one hand you want to save lives, but on the other, the country is a mess.

[Anon999]

32 minutes ago, mike324 said:

 

Countries in the EU have said UK can't get all the benefits without being a member, so there will be some economic consequences such as taxation.

 

 

The other countries are saying what they all want to hear but reality will set in once negotiations are underway. The EU has far more to  lose on trade, for instance, than the UK so the many threats being tossed about are hot air until such times as things get underway. The one thing they really want is to rob the UK of its financial position at any cost. You always ask for the impossible knowing that compromise is the byword. What finally transpires we will have to wait and find out. However, their are various countries that want to agree trade deals with the UK, apart from the US, India and China plus a number of those that were members of the Commonwealth. That's a lot more than 500 million people and bearing in mind that the biggest losers are potentially Germany and those with exports to the UK if they want to play hard to get for political reasons.

 

Taxation will be adjusted if there is a big issue in the final count with corporation tax being reduced to that well below what it is in Europe making the UK a tax haven for business.

Edited January 16, 2017 by Anon999
Omitted one paragraph

[sanukjim]

Just the reverse of Obama's speech condemning Brexit. Great for The UK. 

[mike324]

12 minutes ago, Anon999 said:

The other countries are saying what they all want to hear but reality will set in once negotiations are underway. The EU has far more to  lose on trade, for instance, than the UK so the many threats being tossed about are hot air until such times as things get underway. The one thing they really want is to rob the UK of its financial position at any cost. You always ask for the impossible knowing that compromise is the byword. What finally transpires we will have to wait and find out. However, their are various countries that want to agree trade deals with the UK, apart from the US, India and China plus a number of those that were members of the Commonwealth. That's a lot more than 500 million people and bearing in mind that the biggest losers are potentially Germany and those with exports to the UK if they want to play hard to get for political reasons. 

 

I agree, both sides have much to loose from UK leaving the EU. What kind of compromise can UK come up with to minimize the impact? that will be the main issue now.

[Baerboxer]

56 minutes ago, mike324 said:

 

Countries in the EU have said UK can't get all the benefits without being a member, so there will be some economic consequences such as taxation.

 

 

 

Of course the UK can't expect to get all the benefits, without being a member. And nor should certain EU politicians and bureaucrats think they can screw the UK to frighten other countries into staying put and towing the Brussels line; or because of their bigotry towards the UK; or because they think they can still get money out of the UK for nothing. And UK politicians of similar mindset, mainly old school Tories shouldn't think they can con all they want out of the EU for nothing.

 

And therein lies the problem. Would you or any one, trust the current crop of politicians involved? They are all following their own self interest agendas first and foremost.

 

Whatever anybody really wants, fairness, an amicable deal and equitable solution just won't come into it. Make no mistake the EU political /bureaucrat class are deeply concerned about keeping power over the 27 states and preventing more leavers or the increase in political parties they dislike and the preventing the electorate from thinking they can actually vote for change. 

[Baerboxer]

24 minutes ago, sanukjim said:

Just the reverse of Obama's speech condemning Brexit. Great for The UK. 

 

Obama, the close friend of Merkel, the fellow PC liberal democrat who supports free speech as long as he agrees with what's said, the POTUS who openly threatened Britain of the dire consequences of leaving the EU, of being pushed way to the back of any trade talks with the US - special friend with special relationship you must be joking if you leave the EU. Not so useful to us anymore!

 

Would that be the same Obama who says how wrong it is to try and influence another country's voters?

[humqdpf]

Those Trump supporters should be careful for what they wish for. Given their demographic (having lost out on economic upturns, they tend to be poorer than the usual middle class), getting rid of the various trade agreements will raise prices for the stuff they spend most of their money on (e.g. Walmart).

 

But here is something to bargain with Russia about. Did you know, my dear American friends, that your nuclear weapons are on the highest state of alert? And have been so during the rule of many presidents? Take them off that highest state of alert and maybe replace some of their aging electronics (or whatever they were using back in the 1970s).

That would be something that all of us could agree on.

[abrahamzvi]

50 minutes ago, mike324 said:

 

I agree, both sides have much to loose from UK leaving the EU. What kind of compromise can UK come up with to minimize the impact? that will be the main issue now.

The UK, Mrs May, must realize one thing. As the saying goes "You can't have the cake and eat it". The EU has as its basic principles the free flow of good and PEOPLE. If the UK doesn't want the latter, it can't have the former. I think this summarizes the basic issue.

[LammyTS1]

Fantastic for the UK.

 

With Obama's threats to push the UK to the back of the queue if they voted for Brexit and attempting to influence voting in a foreign nation. 

 

Goodbye Obama, don't let the door hit your ass on your way out....

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

more countries would seek to follow Britain's example and quit the EU.

Solely  from Putin's perspective - which would make maintaining and setting significant European sanctions against Russia for provocative actions such as Economic Blackmail (ie., energy), Invasion and Annexation even more difficult. Hopefully hen his cabinet is appointed by the Senate, Trump can be guided to think more strategically in terms of regions as they related to US secuirty needs.

[Blindedbythelight]

4 hours ago, steve187 said:

at last something positive about the UK

The UK and USA will sign many great trade deals.

[lvr181]

Divide and conquer comes to mind. Trump is probably not in favour of the economic size and economic power of Europe. 

 

Slightly "off topic", now that Trump has persuaded Ford not to manufacture in Mexico and Carrier (?) not to shift from the U.S.A. to Mexico, will he have the b*lls to tell Apple to bring its manufacturing back to the U.S.A.? 

[Langsuan Man]

Divide and conquer comes to mind. Trump is probably not in favour of the economic size and economic power of Europe. 
 
Slightly "off topic", now that Trump has persuaded Ford not to manufacture in Mexico and Carrier (?) not to shift from the U.S.A. to Mexico, will he have the b*lls to tell Apple to bring its manufacturing back to the U.S.A.? 

You mean slightly not true. Ford has already announced that the decision to not open this ONE plant was made long before Trump was elected. The Carrier deal was even less; a whole 750 workers did not move to the Carrier plant in Mexico. And you can keep whistling waiting for Apple to move production to the US

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[jesimps]

2 hours ago, abrahamzvi said:

The UK, Mrs May, must realize one thing. As the saying goes "You can't have the cake and eat it". The EU has as its basic principles the free flow of good and PEOPLE. If the UK doesn't want the latter, it can't have the former. I think this summarizes the basic issue.

Unless it actually benefits the EU, being a net exporter to the UK.

 

[baboon]

4 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Of course the UK can't expect to get all the benefits, without being a member. And nor should certain EU politicians and bureaucrats think they can screw the UK to frighten other countries into staying put and towing the Brussels line; or because of their bigotry towards the UK; or because they think they can still get money out of the UK for nothing. And UK politicians of similar mindset, mainly old school Tories shouldn't think they can con all they want out of the EU for nothing.

 

And therein lies the problem. Would you or any one, trust the current crop of politicians involved? They are all following their own self interest agendas first and foremost.

 

Whatever anybody really wants, fairness, an amicable deal and equitable solution just won't come into it. Make no mistake the EU political /bureaucrat class are deeply concerned about keeping power over the 27 states and preventing more leavers or the increase in political parties they dislike and the preventing the electorate from thinking they can actually vote for change. 

This worries me too. There are those out there who claim the EU would never be so stupid as to cut their own noses off to spite their faces... Wouldn't they? Why? After all, they couldn't really care less about the fate of a few hundred auto workers here, a few hundred in the wine making business there... They may well consider it to be a price worth paying...

Edited January 16, 2017 by baboon

[abrahamzvi]

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

Unless it actually benefits the EU, being a net exporter to the UK.

 

That w I'll be the frosty Friday.....

[Berkshire]

"I’ll tell you, the fact that your pound sterling has gone down? Great. Because business is unbelievable in a lot of parts in the UK."

 

Not sure every Brit would agree with that....especially expats.

[Andaman Al]

5 hours ago, lvr181 said:

Divide and conquer comes to mind. Trump is probably not in favour of the economic size and economic power of Europe. 

 

Slightly "off topic", now that Trump has persuaded Ford not to manufacture in Mexico and Carrier (?) not to shift from the U.S.A. to Mexico, will he have the b*lls to tell Apple to bring its manufacturing back to the U.S.A.? 

I am not sure he has the credibility until him and his daughter bring their Tie, Shoe and clothes lines manufacturing  from China and Bangladesh to the USA

[nakhonandy]

7 hours ago, abrahamzvi said:

The UK, Mrs May, must realize one thing. As the saying goes "You can't have the cake and eat it". The EU has as its basic principles the free flow of good and PEOPLE. If the UK doesn't want the latter, it can't have the former. I think this summarizes the basic issue.

The UK doesn't want either.

 

They want border control first. Then they want trade agreements not the single market.

 

Taxes on trade work both ways incidentally and the UK imports more than it exports regarding the EU.

[lvr181]

18 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Of course the UK can't expect to get all the benefits, without being a member. And nor should certain EU politicians and bureaucrats think they can screw the UK to frighten other countries into staying put and towing the Brussels line; or because of their bigotry towards the UK; or because they think they can still get money out of the UK for nothing. And UK politicians of similar mindset, mainly old school Tories shouldn't think they can con all they want out of the EU for nothing.

 

And therein lies the problem. Would you or any one, trust the current crop of politicians involved? They are all following their own self interest agendas first and foremost.

 

Whatever anybody really wants, fairness, an amicable deal and equitable solution just won't come into it. Make no mistake the EU political /bureaucrat class are deeply concerned about keeping power over the 27 states and preventing more leavers or the increase in political parties they dislike and the preventing the electorate from thinking they can actually vote for change. 

 

"They are all following their own self interest agendas first and foremost."  How true! Same same anywhere throughout the world for most politicians. AKA - self aggrandizement.

[Laughing Gravy]

Well the man who has one of if not the largest economies has spoken and it is favourable to the UK. There will be some reaminers here ready to jump of bridges, especially after Theresa May's speech today. 

No doubt we will get the 'experts' who will turn this into a post apocalyptic world not suitable to live in. I just think it will go on as normal with business done here and there.

[DM07]

He doesn't know what BREXIT even means- I guess, he thinks it's a new brand of potato- chips!

And 2 weeks ago, he was ready for an arms- race with Russia, when it comes to "the nuclear"!

I don't get it: how can ANYONE defend this idiot?

[pitrevie]

35 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Well the man who has one of if not the largest economies has spoken and it is favourable to the UK. There will be some reaminers here ready to jump of bridges, especially after Theresa May's speech today. 

No doubt we will get the 'experts' who will turn this into a post apocalyptic world not suitable to live in. I just think it will go on as normal with business done here and there.

 

Wilbur Ross, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Commerce secretary, has urged other countries to exploit the "God-given opportunity" to steal business from the U.K.

If confirmed as Commerce secretary, Ross would be among those responsible for negotiating a free trade deal with the U.K. 

[NumbNut]

56 minutes ago, DM07 said:

He doesn't know what BREXIT even means- I guess, he thinks it's a new brand of potato- chips!

And 2 weeks ago, he was ready for an arms- race with Russia, when it comes to "the nuclear"!

I don't get it: how can ANYONE defend this idiot?

 

They defend him because they think (!) it's in their best interests that he's in power.

 

Yep, it's that simple. Bugger the country, and by extension bugger the world, "What's in it for ME!"