The EU customs union is the only protection against American bullying
SIR – The Trump administration’s move towards trade protectionism shows the benefit to Britain of being a member of the EU customs union.
Liam Fox, the Trade Secretary and arch-atlanticist, unsuccessfully lobbied Washington for an exemption of UK steel from punitive tariffs. By the effort of Cecilia Malmström, the EU trade commissioner (representing all 28 EU members), such an exemption was secured. It was prolonged earlier this week for another month.
The EU has joined a select group of trade partners strong enough to resist American economic bullying. Beyond the EU, it includes only Nafta partners Canada and Mexico. South Korea, Brazil and even Japan have been forced to accept tariffs or are agreeing painful bilateral concessions.
Despite the rhetoric about global Britain, had we faced this crisis alone, outside the customs union, we would likely have been treated like Japan (the third-biggest global economy compared to Britian’s position as sixth).
The EU customs union is the only effective protection against US bullying today.
Jude Kirton-darling MEP (Lab) Lucy Anderson MEP (Lab) Richard Ashworth MEP (Ind) Catherine Bearder MEP (Lib Dem) Molly Scott Cato MEP (Green) Charles Tannock MEP (Con) and 18 others; see telegraph.co.uk
SIR – Jeremy Warner (Comment, April 27) advocates Britain staying in the EU single market. But there are problems.
Less than 12.5 per cent of the UK economy – a declining proportion – is accounted for by trade with the EU. Yet, so long as we remain in the single market, 100 per cent of our economy is subject to the burden of the EU’S rules.
Worse, the European Court of Justice has full power over us in the name of enforcing single market rules. This costs us over and over again.
Moreover, the single market gives 440 million citizens of EU member states the absolute right to work, live and settle in Britain. That is the true meaning of the EU’S “free movement of people”. It is a clumsy method to solve short-term labour shortages. William Dartmouth MEP (Ukip) Whiteway, Devon
SIR – Before the referendum, David Cameron said that Article 50 would be invoked immediately. The Tories broke that promise, so trust in their subsequent ditherings is misplaced. Brian Gilbert
Hampton, Middlesex
SIR – Prevarication and capitulation in Brexit negotiations, and the wrecking activities of the Lords, make me glad Ukip does not have a Provisional wing. Philip J Honey
Lound, Nottinghamshire
SIR – The Lords’ conduct over Brexit shows it to be more of a danger to democracy than at any time since 1911. It should be abolished. The UK would be better served by a unicameral legislature. Professor David Campbell
Lancaster University Law School