More delay would playing into the hands of the SNP and other opposition parties who claim that ‘Westminster isn’t delivering.’
First Minister reacts to news that there will be border checks on goods between Northern Ireland and UK mainland.
The Prime Minister has avoided some of the potential dangers, but nonetheless introduced a border inside the United Kingdom.
There is precedent for using tariffs to reward those who meet higher standards, and major American producers would be on board.
While we should be looking to reduce tariffs, we should not be willing to do so at any price.
Take it from me that the US would walk away from talks if we tried to make the adoption of UK rules a precondition of any FTA.
The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t really believe in free or fair markets and has a strategy based on domination, not fair competition.
The idea that we should not seek the closest commercial relationship with the United States is unconscionable.
The choice could have profound consequences for the future of the UK economy, not just for next year but for decades.
With draft texts exchanged, it’s unlikely that the Government will seek out a Brexit extension.
To remain in it for any longer than necessary would leave the fragile economy we will have after Covid-19 very vulnerable.
We should make tariff reductions conditional on meeting standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection which are as good as our own.
Britain’s strategic over-reliance on imports leaves us exposed to Beijing, which views trade as an extension of state power.