EU scores an own-goal by refusing to talk trade in Brexit negotiations
SIR – The EU Commission is being deliberately obtuse in refusing to discuss customs and trade arrangements.
How can the Irish border issue be resolved until we know whether there will be a free-trade agreement? And what customs arrangements will be in place between Britain and the rest of the EU? Does Michel Barnier expect a separate system unique to Ireland?
The Commission discusses first what it sees as most important – its own budget and the spending it controls. Trade and jobs are important only to EU citizens, so they must wait their turn. Ken Worthy
Esher, Surrey
SIR – Christopher Booker (The Last Word, August 13) says that, following Brexit, there will be no more Irish horses competing at Cheltenham, as a result of the new procedures which will be necessary at the border.
How is it, then, that American horses seem to be able to come and go as they please – and competed successfully at Royal Ascot earlier this year? Roger Hopkins
Eastbourne, East Sussex
SIR – The EU members’ demands in the Brexit talks have been, by and large, unwarranted and greedy.
Meanwhile, it would seem France has chosen to forget how it was treated when it withdrew from the Nato military command structures (while remaining in the planning arrangements). The country wanted sole control of its force de frappe nuclear weapons.
In 1948 France had become a full member of Nato and accepted the financial obligations. These included the funding of infrastructure projects, military operations, joint staff, research, and all other aspects of a successful defensive alliance.
Before departing, the French were presented with a bill reflecting previously agreed future financial obligations. Needless to say, they objected – so strongly, in fact, that the Nato council decided it was preferable to have a “friendly ally”, and so waived the bill, though France continued to pay appropriate membership costs.
Undoubtedly, France was treated in a benevolent manner by its Nato allies, and both parties benefited accordingly.
Might we might now ask France to adopt a similar stance in response to our desire to leave the EU while retaining certain benefits? If it is able to convince its EU partners of the wisdom of a friendly and cooperative approach to Brexit negotiations, it will have delivered a great benefit to Europe, Britain – and, dare I say, to the rest of the world. Brian Weatherley
Salisbury, Wiltshire
SIR – If we pay “compensation” to the EU for allowing us to leave, please could this be taken from our bloated foreign aid budget? Michael Staples
Seaford, East Sussex