Trade winds are now blowing cold
■ The biggest ever trade deal negotiated by the EU came into effect on February 1, creating the largest open trade zone in the world.
Once the agreement is fully implemented, Japan will have scrapped customs duties on 97% of goods imported from the EU. The EU and Japan have also agreed to set ambitious standards on sustainable development and the text includes a commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.
At the moment we are fully integrated in this ground-breaking trade agreement and massive new market. On March 29, we will be outsiders and on course to becoming political pygmies on the world stage.
For our children’s sake we should withdraw our resignation from the EU immediately. The writing is on the wall – Honda is already going. Robert Perry, Stourbridge
West Mids
■ So, Honda is added to the list of companies, banks and billionaires joining in a so-called Brexodus. I say so what if a Japanese motor company quits the UK? Didn’t those of us who voted to leave the European Union do so in the hope that it would restore the Great back into Britain? If Honda want to leave, let them!
Let’s stop relying on other nations and use this Brexodus to help kick-start British manufacturing and our own economy. I am proud to be British, and free!
A J Smith, March, Cambs
■ Do you remember how the Leavers were forever telling us the UK’s future as a car manufacturer was safe and that firms wouldn’t consider leaving the UK? Well, it seems Britain is now for sale to the lowest bidder.
Wealthy individuals are leaving, firms are going – or in part relocating – while Labour and the Conservatives are falling apart.
Come on, readers, demand a General Election and a People’s Vote before each and everyone of us goes stony broke. We need to stay within the EU and rebuild Britain’s industries to provide employment so people and companies can pay their taxes. Richard Grant Ringwood, Hants
■ Honda has badly let down its workers, leaving me to wonder just what can be done to get them to change their mind?
At the moment I understand they can export their cars to the UK without a financial penalty, but this must change. Why can’t we tell Honda that on the day they close the Swindon factory we will impose an import tax on any cars they sell here? Honda has shown us they don’t care about our country or our excellent workforce, so why should we care about them?
WE Williams Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire
■ The announcement that Honda is to close its factory at Swindon in 2020 is a bodyblow to the UK and will plunge the country into an even greater mess – and all thanks to the mishandling of Brexit.
We ought to boycott Honda cars and buy other makes instead but, sadly, the governments of the day crucified our own car industry. Karl Sheridan, Spalding Moor East Riding
■ Honda isn’t closing its factory in Swindon because of Brexit, but because of a trade agreement it signed with the EU. The EU signed this knowing that Honda has only one European factory, and it’s in Britain. Could it be the beginning of a dirty trade war? You bet!
S T Vaughan, Yardley Wood, Birmingham