Cogito Ergo Non Serviam

EU to Start Internal Talks on Brexit Trade Deal

The trick to understanding the politics of the EU is to realize that most of it involves muddling through, and a key part of that requires numerous fig leaves to hide embarrassing failures. So it is with the Brexit negotiations. Britain and the EU are simply not in agreement about how to divorce one another. The EU is concerned about alimony, while the Brits are trying hard to move onto the post-departure relationship. The EU has given Theresa May's government a scrap today by agreeing to talk among themselves about the future relationship. Actual negotiations with the UK on that point might start in December now.

The Brits had hoped to discuss all issues at the same time, but Brussels decided it wanted a two-phase approach. When enough progress had been made on the financial aspect of the separation, the discussions on future relations could begin. Since it takes at least two to talk, Brussels got its way by default. And there still isn't a number put on Britain's financial obligations.

The BBC reported an hour or so ago, "EU leaders have agreed to start preparing for trade talks with the UK - as Theresa May admits there is 'some way to go' in negotiations. As expected, her 27 EU counterparts agreed at a Brussels summit that not enough progress had been made on other issues to begin formal trade talks now. But by starting internal talks, they are paving the way for them to begin, possibly in December."

European Council president Donald Tusk said "My impression is that the reports of the deadlock between the EU and the UK have been exaggerated. While progress is not sufficient, it does not mean there is no progress at all. I hope we will be able to move to the second phase of our talks in December." Hope springs eternal. December is a long way off, and everyone seems to be selling it as the new target. That means, November is a write-off.

In all likelihood, informal discussions on the EU side have probably taken place since the referendum on leaving the EU passed. The Berlin-Paris phone lines have been quite busy one would imagine. So, the idea that the EU hasn't even considered its position on future relations is laughable. Having talks about finding a common set of objectives is merely a formalization of what has been going on anyway. Yet the announcement that the EU was going to get serious with itself plays the vital role of a fig leaf. Ms. May can proclaim that she is getting closer to the deal that makes Britain Great again because even the other guys are getting ready to discuss what she wants to talk about.

This announcement lets her say "I'm positive and optimistic about where we can get to in relation to the future partnership that we want with the European Union because it's not only in the interests of the British people, it's in the interest of people across the remaining 27 members of the European Union as well."

Fig leaves, however, can only cover so much. In truth, the 27 members of the EU are divided over future relations with Britain, and their talks among themselves may be difficult. Moreover, the 22 members of the British cabinet (including the PM) are not united on the future relationship. Even greater disunity exists in Commons where the Great Repeal Bill has had its Second Reading but now faces 300 amendments and 54 new clauses according to Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom. The Bill won't be debated until November.

The clock continues to tick, and that is the main problem with Article 50 and Brexit. Europe and Britain have never worked on time together. Muddling through requires a chronological elasticity that is contrary to the current relationship's foundation. This journal is convinced Britain is going to leave the EU without a trade deal in place in March 2019.

© Copyright 2017 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.



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