My Authors
Read all threads
NEW/EXC: The Dept of Trade want so cut agri tariffs to kick on trade talks with US and has drawn up "big concession package". Defra and NFU not happy - my latest for @ft with @SebastianEPayne 1/thread
ft.com/content/e583b8…
@FT @SebastianEPayne What does that mean? Well for one a good 'ol Whitehall row as @trussliz and George Eustice vie for the ideological soul of #Brexit.

Talks with US just started; no texts as yet, but I understand aim is to start negotiations on text by June...UK will need to get ball rolling./2
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz Because as @SamuelMarcLowe tells us, a “big offer” from UK on agriculture would be necessary to make any trade deal acceptable to the Trump administration and US Congress. /3
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe The fear among farmers and animal health lobbies is that if you grant market access by offering preferential tarrifs...its the thin end of the wedge. Falling animal welfare standards will, incrementally follow, as EU legislation gets reviewed domestically. Bit by bit. /4
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe Both George Eustice and @michaelgove have record of saying this wont be allowed to happen and @SebastianEPayne hears that Gove is back Eustice. The DiT plan await sign off by Cabinet Cmme - I hear from one corner that No 10 is back DiT at this point. We'll have to see./5
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove The trouble is that, if you get too rational, you quite quickly get into a 'what's the point' scenario - given that the govts own best case is that a US_UK deal delivers a 0.16 per cent boost to UK economy over next 15 yrs /6

ft.com/content/3aef20…
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove That's miniscule compared to the costs (negative 4%-8%?) of larding all the coming frictions on EU-UK trade by doing a barebones FTA or no deal at all.

So is 0.16% worth doing screwing over UK farmers and attracting the political wrath that comes with animal welfare? /7
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove But the govt has hitched its banner to the 'buccaneering Britain' narrative and it needs something to show for it - beyond rolling over existing deal, or making incremental improvements with Japan, South Korea or South Africa /8
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove The other element is the politics that would flow from the UK trying to ride both the EU and US regulatory horses on agri-products.

The UK is currently seeking an NZ-style vet agreement with EU; and super-low friction arrangements for goods going GB-NI under Irish Protocol. /9
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove Now. It's not impossible for EU to do such deals even IF the UK is letting in US chlorine-washed chicken etc, but as we've seen with current EU approach to trade talks (cold on NZ vet deal, withholding MRAs on med devices) not at all clear EU moves to assist UK in this! /10
@FT @SebastianEPayne @trussliz @SamuelMarcLowe @michaelgove That last was a piece of understatement, in case that got lost on Twitter.

Is going to be fascinating to see how this one plays out. Watch this space. ENDS
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Enjoying this thread?

Keep Current with Peter Foster

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!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two 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!