Emmanuel Macron has hit back at Donald Trump’s latest threats to impose tariffs on any country opposing his Greenland takeover, warning that “no amount of intimidation” will persuade European nations to change their course on Greenland.
He was echoed by the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, who warned the EU would not be “blackmailed” by the US president, who on Saturday announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries from 1 February, with a further 25% tariff from 1 June.
In a joint statement, EU leaders said “tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.
It is highly likely that the European parliament will halt ratification of last summer’s trade deal with the US after Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s party, the largest voting bloc in the institute, said they would have to pause the legal rubber stamping process.
Here in the UK it’s pretty fucked. I earn a fairly low wage, and I live in a van because housing is so expensive. I could just about afford to pay rent, but I couldn’t afford much else. The van thing isn’t ideal - I’m in my 50s, hot summers and cold winters are challenging - but this is the only way I can afford to be able to do stuff and even save a bit.
UK is not in EU.
UK has lost about 7.5-10% of their economic potential due to Brexit. Incidentally exactly as I warned would happen during the campaign for the Brexit election, where I warned the UK economy could decline up to 1% per year compared to remaining. Turns out I was pretty much spot on. My guess is this has hit the lower paid workers harder than average, because that is generally the nature of such things, unless there is political will to prevent it. But in situations with tighter economy, such political will almost always evaporates.
For UK workers overall this is a self inflicted wound. But of course if you voted remain, this was inflicted upon you by your countrymen. UK is in a special situation, and can not be used as an example for the rest of Europe.
Hopefully we will see this effect decrease, as UK forms new agreements with EU, and the economy settles on a natural level for the new conditions.
Yeah, I voted remain and like you I could clearly see the harm that leaving the EU would cause, but I couldn’t get the leave voters in my life to listen - so fuckin frustrating! And yeah, it’s hit lower paid workers harder, and even those who’ve had pay rises have rarely had ‘rises’ that meet inflation.
For me there was also the added element that I very much appreciated freedom of movement. I’ve lived and worked and had relationships and made myself at home in several EU countries and I intended to do so again in the future. So few people seemed to value the incredible opportunity this was - fuck off abroad, get a job and a flat, learn the language, make a home. Now I can only spend I think 90 out of any 180 day period in an EU country because of all those dimwitted bigots who voted leave.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling angry about this.
I 100% get that, it was a moronic decision IMO.