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EU FTAs won‘t be ‘rolled over’ by Brexit - thread ft.com/content/c44581…
If you have followed me, this will be now surprise. But let’s me honest - this is not because I am a genius. You also knew if you follow @DavidHenigUK , @SamuelMarcLowe or anyone who knows about trade and tweets about it. THIS IS NO SURPRISE.
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe This is also no discredit to DIT. DIT is working hard. They are working under extraordinary pressure. THIS WAS TO BE EXPTECTED.
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe And if you think this is talking down the UK, Brexit or anything else: come on. The government just explained that organizing a referendum takes over a year. NEGOTIATING AN FTA TAKES TIME. IT’S SUPPOSED TO. YOU INCUR OBLIGATIONS. YOU CANNOT JUST SIGN ANYTHING.
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe And the renegotiation does involve decisions. Here’s a para. from evidence I submitted to the Trade Bill committee in January 2018. 
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe And how, roughly 70 days from Brexit, do we learn about the state of the rollover?
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe Yes. From a leak.
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe There are people who trade based on these agreements. It would be worthwhile to let them know as much as possible about where we stand - so that they are prepared and can take measures.
@DavidHenigUK @SamuelMarcLowe This all goes back to one fundamental point: trade-offs. The political environment is so fragile that some politicians think you cannot make trade-offs explicit. You have to say “everything will be great”. But it is time to realise: doing so causes harm.
