EU Struggles in Brexit Negotiations

For John, BLUF:  This could ripple through to jobs in the US.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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EUROPEANS PUSHING BARNIER FOR MORE SENSIBLE STANCE

That would be 66 year old French politician Michel Bernard Barnier, who is the European Union Chief Negotiator for Brexit.

I ripped this off from Guido Fawkes at the Blog Site Order-Order.♠

Two interesting quotes on Newsnight suggesting that at least some Europeans are pushing Barnier and the Commission to take a more reasonable negotiating stance.  Geert Bourgeois, the head of the Flemish government, stressed the need for trade talks:  “I’ve met twice Barnier.  I brought him to Zeebrugge.  45% of the trade of the export from Zeebrugge is to the United Kingdom, so that’s why I do my best to influence all the people, the ambassadors of the surrounding countries, to work together”.  Xavier Bertrand, the influential French politician who runs the Hauts-de-France region, says Brussels’ tone should change:

“I know one thing for sure – nobody has the right to punish the UK and the British people.  It was a sovereign choice… punishing and looking to punish is a terrible mistake.  It would be a bad message to send.  It was the will of the people who voted, regardless of the consequences.  It would give rise to the feeling that there’s something with more power than the will of the people, or wanting to go against the will of the people. That would be a terrible error.”

The suggestion in today’s papers is that May’s speech will aim to go over the head of Barnier and appeal to the EU27 to break the deadlock.  Clearly it is in the interests of EU politicians like the two above to do that.

You say, so what.  The so what is that a too arrogant approach on the part of the European Union toward Brexit would mean a disruption of trade, with resulting reductions in jobs and wages in both the EU and the UK.

Selfishly, I hope it means that the US capitalizes on this EU faux pas and develops stronger relations with the United Kingdom.

Hat tip to Order-Order.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  When the Speaker of the House of Commons wishes to bring order back to an unruly house she or he says "Order, Order".  The best in my living memory was The Right Honourable Betty Boothroyd, MP for West Bromwich West