Same old nonsense.
Questions to ask.
1. What do the EU want, in detail, from a trade deal?
2. What does the UK want, in detail, from a trade deal?
3. How to balance 1 and 2 to reach common ground?
We don't know 1 and 2. And there's £648 billion of trade riding on it.
Questions to ask.
1. What do the EU want, in detail, from a trade deal?
2. What does the UK want, in detail, from a trade deal?
3. How to balance 1 and 2 to reach common ground?
We don't know 1 and 2. And there's £648 billion of trade riding on it.
But a real wake up call, again, to business. There is a real risk that their no-deal plans will be needed next December. And if they want to explain the detail of what they need to see in an EU trade deal to government they don't have long to do so.
Worth a reminder at this point that trade deals are supposed to be about what makes it easier for businesses to trade with each other, not vanity projects for politicians. Though to be fair there is often a lot of the latter.
Also a reminder from yesterday
Most of all though, the EU does not want just a tariff only deal. It would offer little benefit for the EU over no trade deal at all. The UK has to offer something (for either the EU or US) which is going to be difficult. Like food standards. Where are we prepared to compromise?
Anyway saying speed is more important than substance in your most important trade relationship is just another way of saying f*** business. There's not an election on any more, so now this stuff resonates.
I'm behind the curve. The markets already started to react to the no-extension announcement 
Premature though to say the announcement gives the EU more leverage over the UK in trade talks - if the UK has simply decided we can walk away with no trade deal. Then we've just given all the leverage to the US instead. (repost)
And for once, disagree with @davidallengreen - folk should be bothered by the government putting gesture politics ahead of trade substance. Because it means another step away from our politics returning to normal.
@davidallengreen This is true of course, but only after Parliament forced an extension. So not sure how much the precedent holds.
And I keep stressing - very different situation this time given the number of subjects covered by a trade deal.
And I keep stressing - very different situation this time given the number of subjects covered by a trade deal.
@davidallengreen I don't have the sense the EU yet has their strategy and tactics for Brexit phase 2, however many times I'm told they have a mandate ready to go.
@davidallengreen Really don't disagree with @davidallengreen about the substance of this
