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In an intertwined world like today’s, there is never complete autonomy, not even when acting under the rules of the World Trade Organization. They are also binding, which the British government seems to accept effortlessly. And the rhetoric reveals the real motivation. The aversion to the EU trumps both common sense and a view of reality.
Any agreement on a trade agreement between two partners requires compromise and, to some extent, a relinquishment of sovereignty. Traditionally, the more powerful side dictates the terms – even if the British government, guided by the idea of English uniqueness, never or reluctantly wanted to hear this. Now she feels the unequal competition on her own body. Here the country with 66 million inhabitants. There the mighty bloc of the EU27, whose experienced negotiating team acts relentlessly, especially when it comes to the greatest achievement: the common European internal market. That is understandable. After all, what would be left of this project if the internal market for an agreement with the British was sold off and thus basically the beginning of the end of the core of the international community?
Will Johnson save Britain or his own skin?
Unsurprisingly, Brussels is demanding guarantees of fair competition. In economic terms, there would be no question for Britain to make concessions on this issue. But the economy is only marginally involved. It is a political consideration with a completely uncertain outcome. Boris Johnson faces a choice. If he wants to protect domestic companies and farmers as well as possible, he would have to compromise and agree to a deal.
The problem: Even with an agreement, the disruption and upheaval that the kingdom will experience from next year will be immense. Without a deal, a catastrophe threatens. But then the EU would serve as a scapegoat, Johnson could shift responsibility. So if the prime minister wants to underpin his own position in the conservative party and in the circle of Eurosceptics, he could actually take the plunge into the abyss. Unfortunately, the past has shown in whose favor Boris Johnson usually chooses.
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