Political relations between UK-EU

[west didsblue]

They’re giving preference to New York over London. It’s an aggressive move.

Certainly looks like it. Seems to be a deliberate message to the "they need us as much as we need them" crowd that actually they're not as dependent on us as some would like to think, and anything we want over what we've already negotiated we'll have to pay for. All they're doing is enforcing the rules that were agreed and not giving us any freebies. I predict we'll be back at the negotiating table in no time when all the minor inconveniences we're enduring add up to a collapsing economy.

 

[Ban-jani]

Certainly looks like it. Seems to be a deliberate message to the "they need us as much as we need them" crowd that actually they're not as dependent on us as some would like to think, and anything we want over what we've already negotiated we'll have to pay for. All they're doing is enforcing the rules that were agreed and not giving us any freebies. I predict we'll be back at the negotiating table in no time when all the minor inconveniences we're enduring add up to a collapsing economy.

According to the Beeb the AZ vaccine is predominantly being manufactured in the UK, so it seems on this occasion, they actually do.

 

[west didsblue]

According to the Beeb the AZ vaccine is predominantly being manufactured in the UK, so it seems on this occasion, they actually do.

I'm not talking about vaccines

 

[Ban-jani]

I'm not talking about vaccines

Fair enough.

 

[BobKowalski]

They’re starting to resemble some weirdo stalking their ex on Facebook. They need to get over it, we’ve moved on ;)

So have the EU. To New York.

 

[hgblue]

So have the EU. To New York.

Does my face look bovvered ;)

 

[west didsblue]

Does my face look bovvered ;)

Looks like it's winking and smirking to be honest.

 

[meltonblue]

If they don’t care why are they stopping exports to the UK?

If there truly is no order, which unless we see evidence to the contrary, there could well be based on order timeframes and the EU are disputing supply with AZ and Pfizer, blocking exports is surely an act of aggression?

They are in this position because they acted too slow and I guarantee that if the shoe was on the other foot, and we were the ones that approved too late, then stopped the AZ vaccine going to the EU, who had approved much earlier, the very same people on this thread defending the EU would be calling Johnson every name under the sun for failing to act quicker and for spitefully risking EU lives as a result.

They aren’t, they’re suggesting they check exports everywhere as if they believe the vaccine companies themselves aren’t sticking to their obligations due to either other contracts they’ve signed or geographical constraints they don’t agree with and subsequently not delivering what they perceive as a fair distribution, then they could force the issue. What the UK has signed with AZ is only relevant to them because AZ have said it’s one of the causes of the constraint.

It is an act of aggression - to the vaccine manufacturers not to the UK.

If the tables were turned, I’d be wanting Johnson to be saying exactly the same as the EU are. I’d also be annoyed with him too, like the majority of Europe is with their commission.

 

[BobKowalski]

They aren’t, they’re suggesting they check exports everywhere as if they believe the vaccine companies themselves aren’t sticking to their obligations due to either other contracts they’ve signed or geographical constraints they don’t agree with and subsequently not delivering what they perceive as a fair distribution, then they could force the issue. What the UK has signed with AZ is only relevant to them because AZ have said it’s one of the causes of the constraint.

It is an act of aggression - to the vaccine manufacturers not to the UK.

If the tables were turned, I’d be wanting Johnson to be saying exactly the same as the EU are. I’d also be annoyed with him too, like the majority of Europe is with their commission.

It‘s going to be a long afternoon...

 

[Ban-jani]

They aren’t, they’re suggesting they check exports everywhere as if they believe the vaccine companies themselves aren’t sticking to their obligations due to either other contracts they’ve signed or geographical constraints they don’t agree with and subsequently not delivering what they perceive as a fair distribution, then they could force the issue. What the UK has signed with AZ is only relevant to them because AZ have said it’s one of the causes of the constraint.

It is an act of aggression - to the vaccine manufacturers not to the UK.

If the tables were turned, I’d be wanting Johnson to be saying exactly the same as the EU are. I’d also be annoyed with him too, like the majority of Europe is with their commission.

You’ve used the word “check” there carefully, where the actual term used is “block” or “restrict” in the press, including the BBC.

It is inadvertently an act of aggression to UK supplies though and this is something you have played down. If the UK isn’t receiving vaccines they have paid for and signed off because the EU is blocking them, even if that is a problem between the EU and manufacturer, it’s still going to cost UK lives... which makes it a UK/EU issue.

The EU would be in the UK’s position if they didn’t needlessly delay, that’s something we at least agree on.

I just happen to agree with the AZ CEO.