We should welcome all EU trade even if it is one-sided
THE nub of the issue as regards passporting is that the European Union will not permit UK financial institutions to authorise companies to operate in Europe. It is not the UK Government that is being difficult, but the EU.
It is perfectly possible for UK companies to comply with EU regulations, but clearly the EU does not want the UK to have a chance. Europe benefits from UK products and services, just as the UK benefits from ham from Parma, cars from Germany and wines from France. So why does the EU wish to damage its own people by depriving them of the UK’s offerings?
Notwithstanding that the EU is making it difficult for the UK to trade with members of the EU, Britain should not react tit for tat but welcome, as before, any trade from Europe, however one-sided the terms may be.
To trade at all will benefit the UK, as well as the EU, and a free market works better than one restricted by tariffs. In time the EU will realise that by making life difficult for the UK, it is harming its own members. President Trump should be reminded of the same.
Sir James Pickthorn
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with your article “We need the EU’s trading clout” [March 5].
When George W Bush and Tony Blair were “shoulder to shoulder”, and the US introduced a crippling tax on British steel imports, Blair spoke in vain. The EU decided to help Britain and stepped up, threatening to do the same to the US if it was not immediately removed. The tax was immediately withdrawn. You cannot win alone in a global economy.
Marina Grut
THE PRIME Minister said in her Mansion House speech that implementing the decision of the British people was one of five key objectives in her negotiations with the EU. In the same speech she finally conceded that Britain must accept less access to the single market.
Leave campaigners promised the same free trade benefits with the EU as we have now. Theresa May’s Government maintained the fiction until last Friday. Many undecided voters in the EU referendum were given the confidence to vote to leave because of this and other assurances about how easy it was all going to be.
If a party breaks its election promises, there is a chance to punish it at a succeeding election. How can we make this Government accountable for the broken promises of the EU referendum?
Mrs May’s speech is the clearest justification yet for a further referendum on the final deal, as we now know from the Prime Minister herself that the Government is unable to deliver the will of the people.
Ian Morley