Brexit helped us escape harsher Trump tariffs – even Remainers can’t dispute that
The joy of Brex
SHOW us just one benefit of Brexit, the Remain diehards sneer. Well, here’s one even they surely cannot dispute.
Trump’s brainless ten per cent tariff on Britain is the minimum he has applied globally . . . half what it would have been had we stayed in the EU.
By our Government’s calculations, that’s worth thousands of jobs and billions of pounds.
It is true that in 2016 when The Sun backed Brexit we did not specifically anticipate the host of the US version of The Apprentice being twice elected President, then recreationally upending the global economy motivated by fantasy sums and chippy grudges about foreigners.
But we DID staunchly believe in making our own choices and forging our own future via total independence from the dysfunctional, disintegrating EU . . . and this and many other advantages gained since then have proved us right.
Still, the Remoaner mob WILL doubtless denigrate even this victory — their heartbreaking nostalgia for EU membership being, after all, religious rather than logical.
Some will claim it was actually down to skilled diplomacy by the Labour Government. Except the White House did us no favours. It coldly applied the same childlike formula to everyone.
Two uninhabited volcanic islands off Antarctica are on the same tariff as us. If the penguins there also sent a negotiating team to Washington we missed it.
The tariff debacle predictably ravaged global stock markets yesterday — hammering the savings of millions, including Trump’s own voters — and now threatens to destroy Labour’s core mission, growth.
How should Britain limit the damage?
First, forget any “reset” with the failing EU as it lurches unthinkingly into a retaliatory trade war. Our lower tariff should even give us a competitive edge for as long as it’s in place.
Next, press hard for a free trade deal with the US aiming to eliminate tariffs.
If that means accepting their “chlorinated” chicken, so what? Millions of Brits already eat it on US holidays without a moment’s pause or ill effect.
Labour must think radically — and take decisions it once considered unpalatable.
Heidi flyers
ONE radical move is the Transport Secretary’s commendable decision to let Luton Airport almost double in size.
Heidi Alexander overruled eco activists complaining about trees and hills — and the planning inspectors who sided with them.
She is more interested in a potential £1.5billion boost to the economy and up to 12,000 new jobs in a town which needs them.
NIMBY green campaigners are enjoyably outraged at the tide turning against them and towards growth.
Who’d have predicted Labour would be at the helm when it did?