Political relations between UK-EU

[BobKowalski]

So we agree, despite Brexit and COVID, UK exports (which is all the UK cares about in reality) to the EU have, based on current data, remained largely resilient.

Exports (to RoW) of crude/refined, and cars/machinery/aircraft are the hardest hit, not such a surprise when the global economy is on its arse. Imports largely increased in consumables such as electronics and clothing which, again, is hardly a surprise given pent up demand.

Oy vey.

Our exports have dipped 1% compared to lockdown levels, whereas every other European country saw exports increase in double figures as their economies emerged from lockdown. We are truly blessed.

I’m not even going to bother with the dismissal of imports as no big deal except to say the UK is not a company, does not run a P/L account and imports are also lost business, especially if those imports are part of a supply chain for use in finished products.

Repeat after me. Raising trade barriers inhibits trade, increases cost to businesses and consumers and just as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening it cannot be denied, for it is reality. And reality is a harsh mistress.

It was this harsh mistress that did for the UK Quality Mark, will likely do for our attempt to impose full custom borders and is currently ensuring I cannot get a KFC bucket.

Give me practical and pragmatic politics over that of ideologues and fanatics any day, for truly they ruin everything.

 

[bluethrunthru]

 

[metalblue]

Oy vey.

Our exports have dipped 1% compared to lockdown levels, whereas every other European country saw exports increase in double figures as their economies emerged from lockdown. We are truly blessed.

I’m not even going to bother with the dismissal of imports as no big deal except to say the UK is not a company, does not run a P/L account and imports are also lost business, especially if those imports are part of a supply chain for use in finished products.

Repeat after me. Raising trade barriers inhibits trade, increases cost to businesses and consumers and just as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening it cannot be denied, for it is reality. And reality is a harsh mistress.

It was this harsh mistress that did for the UK Quality Mark, will likely do for our attempt to impose full custom borders and is currently ensuring I cannot get a KFC bucket.

Give me practical and pragmatic politics over that of ideologues and fanatics any day, for truly they ruin everything.

1% is the square root of feck all. What economies have seen double digit growth pre-COVID to now? The numbers you provided a few posts back were showing double digit growth from after COVID and economies fell off a cliff in H1 2020 to H1 2021. But the UK is showing a 1% decline in exports aka flat to the EU from pre-COVID and pre-Brexit, that’s remarkable.

Regarding imports from EU, looks like new car sales are about the biggest culprit but they are gaining some decent momentum now.

Eat salad rather than KFC, you’re stomach will thank you.

 

[bluethrunthru]

1% is the square root of feck all. What economies have seen double digit growth pre-COVID to now? The numbers you provided a few posts back were showing double digit where COVID impacted where economies fell off a cliff in H1 2020. But the UK is showing a 1% decline in exports aka flat to the EU from pre-COVID and pre-Brexit, that’s remarkable.

Regarding imports from EU, looks like new car sales are about the biggest culprit but they are gaining some decent momentum now.

Eat salad rather than KFC, you’re stomach will thank you.

who's harvesting his salad?

 

[metalblue]

who's harvesting his salad?

Ah you’ve got me there mate. Maybe grow your own ;)

 

[BobKowalski]

1% is the square root of feck all. What economies have seen double digit growth pre-COVID to now? The numbers you provided a few posts back were showing double digit growth from after COVID and economies fell off a cliff in H1 2020 to H1 2021. But the UK is showing a 1% decline in exports aka flat to the EU from pre-COVID and pre-Brexit, that’s remarkable.

Regarding imports from EU, looks like new car sales are about the biggest culprit but they are gaining some decent momentum now.

Eat salad rather than KFC, you’re stomach will thank you.

Exports, not economies.

And let them eat salad? The Brexit benefits are truly upon us.

Trade barriers inhibit trade and/or make it more expensive. Or in this case, means you run out of KFC chicken.

 

[BobKowalski]

who's harvesting his salad?

I'm going to binge watch past episodes of The Good Life. May come in handy :)

 

[bluethrunthru]

I'm going to binge watch past episodes of The Good Life. May come in handy :)

Its actually just starting now on BBC 4 lol !!

 

[metalblue]

Exports, not economies.

And let them eat salad? The Brexit benefits are truly upon us.

Trade barriers inhibit trade and/or make it more expensive. Or in this case, means you run out of KFC chicken.

Show me the exports that have double digit grown pre-COVID to now for the EU. I’ll wait.

I fully agree that trade barriers make trade harder and/or more expensive. They are protectionist by design.

 

[BobKowalski]

Show me the exports that have double digit grown pre-COVID to now for the EU. I’ll wait.

I fully agree that trade barriers make trade harder and/or more expensive. They are protectionist by design.

Mate, I did the German figures compared to UK and that was dismissed, overall reduction in trade also discounted, along with a side order of ‘who cares about imports’, and an invitation to eat salad because KFC and others have run out out of the staple that pretty much is their reason for being.

No amount of information be it the UK Quality Mark nonsense, our refusal to entertain temporary visas for truck drivers or care home staff or a hundred and one other things is going to make a difference to the Brexit faithful.

And if you fully agree that trade barriers make trade harder and/of more expensive and then voted to make that happen, then what is the point in having the discussion? We agree. The only difference is I voted not to raise trade barriers with Europe. You did.