,
8 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
Many assume US and EU think differently about #Brexit. But after almost 3 years, there are some things they hold in common:
1. Surprised, worried, exasperated and now switching off: of course, EU27 always more interested in Brexit than US. (US not intervened). But political chaos in London has led both sides to check out: "we will engage properly on Brexit once London has made a decision"
2. Neither side knows what the UK wants: receiving mixed messages (strong alignment with EU, but also strong trade agreement with US). Want a deal, but also open to leaving with no deal. Both bemoan lack of clear UK narrative about the future.
3. Speaking of, not clear what Global Britain means: will UK align with US or EU on Iran? What about WTO reform? China? And will the UK inform US and member states of any major decisions (before they go public)?
4. Brexit not a priority: US gearing up for US primaries and election next year. EU have important elections (EU but also Germany next year) and decisions to make: eurozone, security, migration, etc. Plus, concerns that there is little bandwidth in UK for non-Brexit issues.
5. Worry that UK lacks trade expertise to get what it wants: UK understands trade implications, but limited experience of actually negotiating. UK representation in Brussels & UK embassy in DC doing good work - but Gov as a whole needs to get much better at coordinating.
6. US-EU relationship also changing: partly because of Trump's distrust of EU, but also because UK will no longer be in "EU room". Both recalibrating relationship - unclear where UK sits.
7. Therefore, UK urgently needs a new strategy to engage both EU, its member states and the US. Fortunately, we @instituteforgov are working on this. END.
