WHO SHAMES HIS OWN NATION
Is Donald Trump right to say Theresa May has wrecked the chances of a US-UK trade deal? Trade deals are not in the President’s gift. All free trade agreements have to be approved by both houses of the US Congress.
But although he subsequently rowed back on his words, he is right to say Mrs May’s Brexit plans have lessened the chances of a deal.
As soon as the Prime Minister signed up to mirroring EU standards and regulations, she removed the main incentive for the US to sign a free trade agreement with the UK.
There is no commercial advantage for US agricultural and health firms trying to enter the UK market unless they can undercut existing standards.
Which raises the question of whether the UK would ever want to sign up to a deal that allowed the import of US chlorinated chicken or hormone-enriched beef, and gave US firms access to the NHS.
Was Donald Trump put up to making his comments? Tory MPs are in frequent contact with US political allies about Brexit.
Last month US national security adviser John Bolton held talks with members of the European Research Group of pro-Brexit Tory MPs. Nigel Farage also indicated he may have tried to influence the White House.
But there is no conclusive evidence the President was asked to make his damaging remarks.
What is Donald Trump playing at? It is no accident he often attacks European leaders while praising “strong men” such as Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan of Turkey.
Mr Trump dislikes the EU because he believes its trade deals are detrimental to US businesses and its rules and regulations bar access to US goods of lower standards.
Yesterday he said the EU treated the US “horribly” and had “barriers that are beyond belief”. He wants to keep the UK out of the EU’s orbit as it weakens the bloc and leaves Britain vulnerable when negotiating trade deals. His interview should be seen as a softening-up exercise.
What does it mean for Brexit? It will make it harder for the PM to sell her Brexit plant to Brexiteer MPs and Tory activists.
But the President also ruled out the no-deal option, saying the PM could not “walk away”.
He has also helped clarify our options – either remain close to the EU, which accounts for 43% of our trade, or try to strike a deal with the US, which accounts for 18%.
One will require us to continue to follow EU rules without any say on them. The other will oblige us to lower our standards and allow US firms access to our health system.