Hard Brexit Attacked by American Chamber of Commerce to EU

It's quite hard to find any group representing businesses that is in favour of Brexit at all, much less the hard Brexit that Boris Johnson seems intent on. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU have now had their say, and are not at all keen on the UK leaving the single market or customs union. They have also seemed less than impressed with our unreadiness to apply checks for Northern Ireland.

[claudetteearle]

The Brexiters are driven by hate and fear and these 2 negative emotions are bound to drive wrong decisions all round. The EU isn’t perfect but we should only have left if whatever we were going to do next was better and it’s clearly not. But don’t expect Brexiters to admit this; they were so vicious and vociferous, almost mindless in their campaign approach that it’s very difficult for them to rethink now.

It’s like people who hold strong religious views; the contradictions and unloving principles are so evident but they are far too invested to look any further, so they go to the hell they believe in and preach about, rather than attempt to save their own souls. Some of them don’t even know what a soul is,

[jonathanwetherell]

BRexit was always about Faith, aspiration, feelings. Like any religion Science and Facts do not matter and can be ignored. Also, in the same way religious faiths change and adapt, the Brexit creed has changed since 2016. The truth just means that all of us will suffer the consequences for decades to come.

[pierrelindgren]

Kinda hard to inspire confidence by saying you'll ignore one set of rules and regultions with one partner, but that you'll definitely follow the ones you'll agree to this time. America should not make the same mistake the European Union did by believing Johnson's lies.

[maxharbig]

There is an almost touching and childlike quality regarding many Brexiteers' belief that Trump is not only totally on their side but that he has complete and absolute personal freedom to decide, negotiate and conclude trade deals and anything else without any interference from Congress, lobbies or powerful corporate interests, whatsoever. It's almost equivalent to their belief that Boris doesn't jump when big Tory party donors tell him to.

[drhibas]

I thought he wanted to be remebered as a great PM? This might work in the short term for his loud base, but history will likely not paint a pretty picture if he condemns Britain to become poorer than their peers.

[ricardothorburn]

If the EU were as vindictive as most Brext supporters would have us believe, they would go for a hard Brexit and then say to all the other countries 'if you do trade with the UK you will not be allowed to trade with it the EU' - like America does with Iran and Cuba. The EU have the power to bring the UK to its knees. Why should anyone believe the UK is arguing from a position of strength?

[gabrieldillon]

The EU is the largest trading block in the world, and everything it does, is done for the benefit of its member countries. What about this doesnt the UK get?

[Leeuwy]

In thirty years they will make a movie about this.
Title ... hmmmm ... something like "the downfall".

[williamgeorgefraser]

So it's okay for the US to negotiate a trade deal with the EU but it's forbidden for the UK to do the same thing. Makes it look pretty obvious that the UK will be given a blank sheet of paper and told to sign at the bottom. The US will then fill in the details later.

[seriousmaran]

Are you expecting Boris to do anything as hard as thinking?

He's far too lazy and incompetent.

[alanmarr]

It is ironic in the year of Brexit Britain will be more dependant on fresh produce like fruit and vegetable from Europe . With the absence of Euuropean pickers much British produce will virtually rot in the fields. The deficit will have to be made up of produce from Europe, because nearness to markets is esential for this type of produce. It is a pity that the patriotic Brexiters don't go in droves to pick fruit and vegetables. They may enjoy the fresh country air and perhaps they will meets some of the few Europeans pickers let in. They may even find these Europeans are nice people and even make friends with them!

[fredmidtgaard]

Reminds me of a Hanson cartoon: A Dinosaur talking to an audience of Dinosaurs: "The picture is pretty bleak Gentlemen: The climate is getting colder and we all have brains the size of a walnut!".

[Miguel...]

This is why Farage is on a beach like a lunatic checking imaginary boats coming in full of imaginary illegal immigrants .

[bujin]

"So, I hope you found the video interesting..."

No. I found it utterly terrifying. Thanks.

[philhardackermann]

BJ didn't even exactly follow local british rules throughout his career. Who in his right mind would consider him a decent partner? This guy is really like a slightly better educated (up for debate) British Donald Trump. Both of them lie through their teeth all the time. And the worst is their positive self image, which is totally without any basis in reality.

[lellyparker]

EASIEST DEAL IN HISTORY, WE HOLD ALL THE CARDS.

[stephanierando]

The EU was set up to work like the US does with its States. States have a certain amount of power individually over their economies, but we all have the same dollar and ultimately work towards a greater economic whole and those are governed as a whole. Europe has countries smaller than many US states do. Drivers licenses and other state licenses and permits (including marriage and divorce decrees) are accepted in whatever state you are in to simplify those processes.

[NLJeffEU]

What bojo seems to forget is a thing called "the brussels effect" it goes like this. When a factory (especialy for foods) wants to sell over the whole world it NEEDS to comply with the highest food standarts(EU) or the companys needs to build 2 factorys for the "same" product. Which is costly and inefficient. At least if it wants to sell in the EU. And trust me on this one, the EU will never let go on this one. Never.

[greattobeadub]

I have never heard a coherent answer from any Brexit support as to exactly what the UK will suddenly sell to the world in terms of goods and services, that is currently can't do right now. Perhaps if there are some of the 17.4m reading these messages, they could elucidate?

[indricotherium]

But let's not forget that mainstream corporate America is not the whole story. It doesn't speak for the vulture capitalists, the asset strippers, the undertakers of bad debt and junk bonds, all of whom would much prefer an isolated, more vulnerable UK economy to scavenge on.