The Germans have much lower production costs,especially lower energy costs and business rates,they also have committed customers who are loyal to local German supply...the UK suppliers are experiencing the perfect storm with everything against them.Sorry Dave, I have to question this. Germany has long been the largest steel producer in the EU and is the world's seventh largest producer. The Chinese dumping is also a major threat to them. If they really were calling the shots the EU protections would surely cover steel.
All true Dave and there's a central key within it. Thats the superior manufacturing and marketing of the German companies that enables them to charge far more for their products, which in turn enables the loyal steel buying at higher prices. The Swiss do similar, selling quality at very high prices that others are prepared to pay. It's a knack we never really learnt well enough to compete long term.The Germans have much lower production costs,especially lower energy costs and business rates,they also have committed customers who are loyal to local German supply...the UK suppliers are experiencing the perfect storm with everything against them.
Also don't forget that Audi and Mercedes are the preferred vehicle of choice by the steering committee of China,they could respond back with some heavy tariff barriers as reprisal.
KudosDave
here's to hoping the Chinese economy goes totally t£ts up and makes the referendum a non eventO hell can I stand 4 months of no News, only spin and bull s**t.
Nurse where my pills!!!
This shift in the odds on leaving* mean the bookies are betting the UK will remain in the EU. That trend is continuing.What exactly does 2/1 or 9/4 mean.
The bookies think that we will stay or leave?
I quite like that idea actually. There is not much risk. If the Pound gets trashed, our export and living cost will rise, reducing the current budget deficit and perhaps more people can see that we actually don't control much in this brave new world.I hear that the latest barmy move by Boris is to say that if we vote to leave the EU, he will want us to renegotiate again and have yet another referendum!
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But would Europe put up with such a proposal? You may remember that when Cameron first proposed a renegotiation it was met with considerable irritation among other member country leaders. Several openly said that it was about time that the UK either shut up or left.I quite like that idea actually. There is not much risk. If the Pound gets trashed, our export will rise and perhaps more people can see that we actually don't control much in this brave new world.
Many said they wouldn't make the concessions sought this time and they've been as good as their word. That's why the outcome has been so insignificant. I doubt those members would even talk again, defeating any EU Commission intentions.you said it yourself, the EU want/need to be big. I am sure they'll negociate.
That won't happen, the two years is the EU's best bargaining tool. If the UK doesn't have an agreement at the two year point the UK is automatically out without any trade agreement. The pressure in the final stages is all one way on the UK.Any way, article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will let them extend the two years period.
I agree, I doubt there's a cat-in-hells chance we'll leave and they'll fiddle it somehow. What I fear though is the very close result settling nothing. I see the Conservative parliamentary party itself is almost evenly split and the country might well be the same.I always thought that it does not matter which party has the majority in the House, our government is not daft enough to leave the EU. Too much hard work for politicians.
this country won't be at peace with itself until Brexit happens. Presented with either membership of the EEA or the EU, the choice will be easy. Our government (presumably lead by Boris) will ask the EU for more time if necessary to get back in.That won't happen, the two years is the EU's best bargaining tool. If the UK doesn't have an agreement at the two year point the UK is automatically out without any trade agreement. The pressure in the final stages is all one way on the UK.
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Which is as it should be, since the future belongs to the young and not to the elderly.Unfortunately looking at the population figures it appears that they will be outnumbered come voting time as the majority of voters will come from either side of the median age (approximately 40 years old) and as they have no knowledge of how this country has changed will probably vote to stay in.
6 months: probably not much other than the banks speculating against the Pound but two years in, the biggest problem for firms is unfair competition, the most affected will be our farmers and our fishermen. For individuals, the biggest problem is the drop in the value of the Pound.what would be the effect of us voting to leave,say 6 months after we have voted OUT what would have changed?
We may get the possibility of ditching what we done want but who would want to disrupt the trade.
KudosDave