Saturday, April 21, 2018

Brexit? What's a Brexit?

In the UK it is also known as "The Divorce Bill." There is a considerable mess taking place in order for the UK to separate from the EU. This runs down some of the issues. 

The Uk is our friend and ally. It is important Americans understand their friends "across the pond."

November 21, 2017
By Lianna Brindad

The UK is leaving the European Union (click here) —likely in 2019—but before it does, it has to agree on what it will pay the bloc on its departure (alongside determining EU citizens’ rights and the status of the Northern Irish border). More commonly known as the “divorce bill,” only once the amount is agreed upon, can the UK start the rest of its negotiations on leaving the EU.

Talks are looking pretty fraught because there is still no agreement on the final amount and it has been around eight months since Britain formally declared its departure by triggering Article 50, leaving just over a year to crack on with some of the most complex parts of negotiations, such as trade and immigration....

Americans have similar issues with NAFTA and any other trade agreements once struck. It costs money to get into the agreements and it costs to get out. With Brexit, the UK is not going into isolation, so the continued interest in trade agreements is the focus. But, with the TiPP signed, I think the idea of trade is hammered out; or is it? Is all this concern about Brexit and trade simply a political hot spot without sincere meaning?

April 21, 2018

Britain risks a "disorderly" Brexit (click here) after failing to offer up any workable solutions for the Irish Border, Michel Barnier has warned.

The EU chief negotiator issued the stark warning after Theresa May's vision for a new customs arrangement was demolished in five rounds of technical negotiations in Brussels.

Sources told the Irish Independent that the Government here may now have no choice but to stall the talks completely in June.

While there is "no panic" on the Irish side, officials believe the next 10 weeks must bring "significant and measurable progress" or the entire Brexit timeline will be derailed.

The ultimate deal between the UK and EU is due to be finalised by October 31 - but an EU summit in June is growing in importance.

Mr Barnier said there is still no agreement on 25pc of Brexit negotiations, meaning there is a "risk of failure"....