New world, new policy: Brexit and the US

American outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will change. Every day, almost one million people go to work in America for British companies. More than one million people go to work in Great Britain for American companies. Under new conditions, these numbers might shrink.

Both the United States and Britain require new relationships which are less organised by tradition, but more individualistic and spontaneous. Social media can play a big role here. Also, highly emphasised traditional business fundamentals such as competition, risk, profit and ownership will have to be modified in favour of truthfulness, simplicity, expanded participation and personal responsibility.

Friends and adversaries do not require winners and losers. With all the physical, technical and information resources now easily available, we must search for the spiritual soul of business, and make it catch up with the physical body. We all must contribute to find new paths to help others by sharing their burden. They in turn must be willing to share ours.

It used to be said that the United States and England are only separated by a common language. The near term future may see more separation of the two by new negotiations. There is the opportunity to improve relations with new negotiators who are not only rear-view mirror oriented, risk averse or restrictive. Using past configurations as milestones can help simplify future trade policy, but without mandatory orientation.

Bilateral discussions between the U.S. and the UK must focus on the building of strength. Global openness with reasonable partners, accompanied by transparency, and in support of balanced consumption are key objectives for progress towards a better human condition.