Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Britain imports from, and exports to, more to China than it does to next door neighbours Netherlands and France.
Free trade between any country is good of course, but trade with some countries is more advantageous than with others. Just two among many influencing factors are population and distance. China has a disadvantage over the Netherlands and France in terms of transportation distance but an advantage population-wise. To compare apples and apples, how about comparing trade between the UK and the Netherlands and France and the UK and maybe a Chinese province or prefecture with roughly the same population?
Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Food, beverages, tobacco, manufactured goods, pharmaceuticals, machinery and transport equipment, commodities...
Australia and New Zealand still haven't forgiven their Mother Country for turning her back on them to join what is now the EU in 1973. Their economies suffered as a result. They are now keen to exploit the opportunities and great future that Brexit presents.
You want to encourage trade in tobacco? Hmmm... For the other things, yes I agree. But you see tobacco as a good thing?
Yes you should pursue trade with the world, and that should include the EU.
Quote: Originally Posted by Curious Cdn
They compete against you for a lot if that list. There we I'll be no benevolent "Let's bail out Blighty" trade.
Even if they compete now, free trade might encourage each side to specialize in what they each do best over time.
Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
1) They don't need to bail us out. We're doing fine.
2) No country, including Britain, will surely agree to a trade deal that isn't benevolent and beneficial to it in any way. The whole point of a trade deal is that it's beneficial to you.
Er... no. The whole point is that the overall benefit to both sides outweighs the potential drawbacks to both sides. Otherwise, why would the other side sign it?
