Ross Clark

to Britain fell by 13 per cent in the first half of this year. It is the high exchange rate of the euro rather than trade barriers which have done the damage but it has come as a sharp reminder to German industrialists of how much they need the UK export market.

While it is good news that the EU is finally prepared to talk trade, the negotiations are going to continue to be tough. We can expect all kinds of wheezes from the EU side, such as trying to maintain liberal trade on goods they sell to us while trying to erect barriers on goods and services which we sell to them.

We will continue to face demands for a huge leaving bill and for concessions on the rights of EU citizens following Brexit and the Irish-Northern Irish border. On the latter two issues the Prime Minister can and should oblige. There is no reason why EU citizens already living here, and who established careers and families here on the basis that they would enjoy the right to live here indefinitely, should be left to worry about their future.

As for the Irish border, why can’t we have a mini-Schengen for the British Isles? If there are issues regarding goods illegally crossing the border without import duties and tariffs being paid, they should be dealt

THIS is why Philip Hammond was so wrong this week to suggest he will try to withhold funding from government departments which are trying to make preparations for a “no deal” Brexit.

It isn’t hard to see how Michel Barnier will try to exploit the situation. He will be saying to himself: “Oh, good, the Brits are making no preparations for trade talks to collapse. They absolutely need them to succeed, and so I can continue to screw them for €100billion – or even more!”

Hammond has proved himself an unworthy Chancellor in his failed raid on the selfemployed in his spring budget. It is quite right for his predecessor Lord Lawson to demand his removal from the job.

The more we prepare for life beyond the EU, the more we talk free trade with countries beyond Europe, the more we show we are serious about taking advantage of our postBrexit freedom to trade with whomever we like, and not rely on EU officials with protectionist instincts to do them for us, the better our chances of getting a good deal out of the EU.

In the Brexit negotiations Britain and the EU should be equal partners acting in mutual self-interest. The faster we establish that, the better.

‘Trade happens when there’s mutual benefit’