Profile picture
, 3 tweets, 1 min read
My Authors
Read all threads
Saturday. UK out of the EU. The lack of real change in transition period includes UK government still believing they can threaten the EU. Who like me will just point out a hard border will also apply to trade between Northern Ireland and GB.
Time for the UK government to end the silly games with the EU and recognise that their words and decisions matter more now - ultimately to people's jobs. Every supposed threat to the EU is also a threat to the operation of business in the UK.
Also, the wisdom of signing a treaty with limited scrutiny will be increasingly tested. The Withdrawal Agreement was not a good one for the UK, but made by a boxed in PM who then claimed it to be a triumph. Its effects could be significant.
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Enjoying this thread?

Keep Current with David Henig

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @DavidHenigUK see all

Profile picture
David Henig
@DavidHenigUK
After yesterday's flurry of UK-EU trade talks documentation today the reflection - that the UK government has committed to a massive increase in trade barriers with Europe, which will scarcely be offset anywhere else. Demonstrating the truth of this statement... 1/
Of course that's an extract from Boris Johnson's speech yesterday in which he lauded the virtues of free trade, then committed to take action to restrict it. Because no alignment, if taken literally, is going to mean either no trade agreement, or a very thin tariff only one. 2/
Favoured Number 10 courtiers have been making the argument that the EU is protectionist, and out of step with the rest of the world in their approach to reguatory alignment. Both complex subjects, but broadly (though with exceptions) the argument doesn't hold up at all 3/
Read 13 tweets
Profile picture
David Henig
@DavidHenigUK
We have a draft Commission negotiating mandate and a Johnson speech at the same time. Hard to keep up - but interesting from Johnson that the UK's approach to food being included in US trade deal remains ambiguous.
Essentially - we can have a US trade deal if we accept US food and an EU trade deal if we accept EU level playing field conditions. The two may yet clash in a couple of areas.
Important point. The predominant view globally is that the UK is part of the move towards protectionism (leaving the EU, restrictive on movement of people), and the UK overall is likely to be more closed to trade after Brexit than before.
Read 8 tweets
Profile picture
David Henig
@DavidHenigUK
There may be no need in theory but there is in practice, because that's the price of preferential access to a huge market (though far less preferential than today)
There's also no need to be making such a big deal of this if actually we agree with the EU on the need for high levels of e.g social protection

Negotiating bluster or hard red lines? Trouble is nobody knows, probably including the UK government.
Read 6 tweets

Related threads

Profile picture
🎙The Europe Desk 🇪🇺
@theeuropedesk
We are live-tweeting @PhilHoganEU's address to @CSIS on future of #trasatlantic trade!
Mr. Hogan is the new @Trade_EU Commissioner and is making his first trip outside the EU as part of the @vonderleyen Commission. He is speaking with @CSISEurope's Heather Conley and Scholl Chair Bill Reinsch.
Mr Hogan was previously Irish Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. At The Europe Desk, we recently interview @HcMEntee, Irish Minister for European Affairs, on Ireland's role in transatlantic relations after #Brexit: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bri… @GUGlobalIrish
Read 47 tweets
Profile picture
dog
@IntelDoge
UK flagged oil/chemical tanker STENA IMPERO doing something interesting at the moment. It's port is the opposite way of where it's heading, and it's heading directly for the #Iran|ian island of Qeshm.. 🤔
The track of this ship is incredibly concerning, if it continues on it's track towards Iran, which it's only 9.5 nautical miles from..
Here's an image by Relic in Crustacean Nation - this track is the rather concerning part.
Read 41 tweets
Profile picture
Katy Hayward
@hayward_katy
Karen Wheeler (formerly of UK govt #Border Delivery group) made some interesting points at @ifgevents #IfGBrexit today.*
Here's a v.brief summary.
1/5
*[so did @AllieRenison and @Lorand_Bartels too, you won't be surprised to hear]
She said UK govt has been trying to guide UK businesses in prep for #NoDeal but particularly difficult for NI.
'Cos v. unclear how IRL wd deal with border.

Without knowing arrangements on the other side, it is extremely difficult for cross-border traders to prepare/comply.

2/5
This leaves NI businesses at a heavy disadvantage in a No Deal, being only prepared for the UK side of trade.

Worsened, she noted, by high number of small businesses in cross-border trade.

Unilateral policy of the UK for land border in a No Deal thus 'somewhat difficult'.

3/5
Read 5 tweets
Profile picture
Nick Gutteridge
@nick_gutteridge
EU Parliament debate on Brexit getting under way in Brussels. Juncker, Barnier, Verhofstadt, Farage speaking. As ever, will post quotes below.
Melania Ciot, for Romanian presidency of Council, starts by asking how UK demands for 'alternative arrangements' can be reconciled with EU position Agreement is 'best deal possible'. Says: 'It's clear this state of affairs makes a disorderly exit of the UK more likely still.'
Jean-Claude Juncker: 'The Agreement remains the best and only deal possible. The EU said so in Nov, we said so in Dec, we said so after the first meaningful vote in Jan. The debate and votes in the HoC yesterday don’t change that. The Agreement will not be renegotiated.'
Read 19 tweets
Profile picture
David M. Herszenhorn
@herszenhorn
#EU leaders issue five paragraph statement in long-shot bid to change 100+ minds in #UK Parliament "The Union stands by this agreement and intends to proceed with its ratification. It is not open for renegotiation.
2. The European Council reiterates that it wishes to establish as close as possible a partnership
with the United Kingdom in the future. It stands ready to embark on preparations immediately
after signature of the Withdrawal Agreement to ensure that negotiations can start as
soon as
possible after the UK’s withdrawal.
3. The European Council underlines that the backstop is intended as an insurance policy to
prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland and ensure the integrity of the Single Market. It
is the Union’s firm determination to work
Read 7 tweets
Profile picture
Steve Herman
@W7VOA
#UK Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson has resigned, according to @10DowningStreet.
"His replacement will be announced shortly," @10DowningStreet spokesman says.
More on the @BorisJohnson resignation:
Read 15 tweets

Trending hashtags

#Peace #insurgency #Iran #tobacco #Chequers #global #UK #maximus #Kobane #launch #Ansarullah #JC4PM #UN #newsnight #Faqih #Indonesia #esa #Germany #quote #CIA #Brexodus #Sana #Hama #chickens #Government
Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!