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Negotiating trade agreements isn’t exactly a strength of the EU. It doesn’t have deals with China, India or even the US, for example. But it’s not like Chinese products are really expensive without one. In fact, the benefits are generally in the other direction — opening export markets for our products and services.
That's because the WTO makes bilateral agreements less useful than before. But EU countries are represented individually and dually by the EU in WTO proceedings.
It's much better to have dozens of friends backing you up in a dispute. There is no benefit and a major drawback to leaving. No one will stick up for you.
I certainly agree there are no benefits, but the whole debate around trade agreements is overblown on both sides. The UK is a service economy, and even within the EU itself there isn’t a single market for lots of services. The idea that either EU membership or Brexit can deliver meaningful trade benefits outside Europe is largely nonsense.
Yeah trade isn't that important now, that's why there were no shortages of basic goods during the pandemic... oh wait.
Are you suggesting that trade agreements can prevent pandemics?
Are you suggesting that trade agreements can prevent pandemics?