The UK thought it could leave the EU and still call the shots. Five years on, reality has set in. Dr Daniele Saracino unpacks the UK's weaker negotiating position.
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I’m researching 1963 in detail. I’ve reached 31 January 1963 when de Gaulle said, non! It’s interesting comparing the newspaper reports of that time and where we are now.
“De Gaulle can momentarily prevent progress, but he will not prevent the eventual triumph.”
The UK negotiating position is as it should be for an advanced, large economy with shared values with the EU. No more. No less. All the opt outs and nonsense gone. But a genuine win:win opportunity in partnership with the EU.
the UK economy is 0.7% of the global economy, and mainly services based. the UK is dwarfed by the EU. of course the UK rejoining would be advantageous. not if every negotiation starts with "give us this or we will leave... again". the EU doesn't need a noisy neighbour.
Trade is only one area of mutual benefit.
Brexit trade barriers work in both directions and the UK is a major trading partner of the EU (in goods and services) and a major European economy.
I think it’s close in terms of exports and imports combined, but EU goods trade with the UK is greater than services trade. However, the EU has a much bigger trade surplus with the UK on goods than it does on services.
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“De Gaulle can momentarily prevent progress, but he will not prevent the eventual triumph.”
Brexit trade barriers work in both directions and the UK is a major trading partner of the EU (in goods and services) and a major European economy.
See the charts in https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/united-kingdom_en