Spot the problem

[Whorty]

Which UK produced goods is the rest of the world so desperately waiting for that they can import them at much lower tariffs and will make leaving the EU so much better for the UK economy?

Jam. And tea.

[Old Greg]

Jam. And tea.

And biscuits.

[meridian]

Well the EU has a "common external tariff" which prevents us cutting our export costs by forcing us to pay more for imports.

That.... that makes no sense.

You’re saying that the reason we don’t export more, is because the cost of our raw materials being imported is hampering is?

Apart from the fact that this doesn’t seem to hamper Germany, you’d need to take into account the imports of raw materials from the EU (0% tariff), imports from the countries the EU has an FTA with (0%), countries that we’ve agreed can be 0% through other agreements such as EBA, GSP, etc.

[gruntling]

Which UK produced goods is the rest of the world so desperately waiting for that they can import them at much lower tariffs and will make leaving the EU so much better for the UK economy?

Scotch Whiskey into India is one example. India is quite a big market after all...

[gruntling]

That.... that makes no sense.

You’re saying that the reason we don’t export more, is because the cost of our raw materials being imported is hampering is?

Apart from the fact that this doesn’t seem to hamper Germany, you’d need to take into account the imports of raw materials from the EU (0% tariff), imports from the countries the EU has an FTA with (0%), countries that we’ve agreed can be 0% through other agreements such as EBA, GSP, etc.

It's one reason but just one of many.

As for Germany the reason they are so successful in exports is because they use the Euro and Southern Europe to devaluate their exports and the value of their trade surplus. Germany wins and Club Med suffers from overvaluation and huge unemployment rates.

Classic "Beggar thy neighbour" policies.

[Old Greg]

It's one reason but just one of many.

As for Germany the reason they are so successful in exports is because they use the Euro and Southern Europe to devaluate their exports and the value of their trade surplus. Germany wins and Club Med suffers from overvaluation and huge unemployment rates.

Classic "Beggar thy neighbour" policies.

It's one reason but just one of many.

[meridian]

It's one reason but just one of many.

As for Germany the reason they are so successful in exports is because they use the Euro and Southern Europe to devaluate their exports and the value of their trade surplus. Germany wins and Club Med suffers from overvaluation and huge unemployment rates.

Classic "Beggar thy neighbour" policies.

So on the one hand, the UK struggles with exports due to the cost of tariffs on raw materials, but on the other hand Germany do great because they force the Euro down (which would make the cost of imported raw materials even higher)?

You’re talking out of your arse.

[meridian]

Scotch Whiskey into India is one example. India is quite a big market after all...

What are the import tariffs into the UK on raw materials for that, where reducing them would (you claim) make them more competitive?

Which country wasn’t too keen on agreeing the EU / India FTA due to potential visa changes, and why do you think that would change if it was a UK / India FTA?

And which country applies the import tariffs on the finished goods, and is the only one that can reduce them (and is currently disinclined to do so)?

[gruntling]

So on the one hand, the UK struggles with exports due to the cost of tariffs on raw materials, but on the other hand Germany do great because they force the Euro down (which would make the cost of imported raw materials even higher)?

You’re talking out of your arse.

A lower exchange rate, all things being equal, makes imports more expensive and exports cheaper. That's how international trade works.

Arses can't talk (apart from the golden star and blue leotard dancing, "Stop Brexit" bellowing variety). That's how biology works.

[gruntling]

What are the import tariffs into the UK on raw materials for that, where reducing them would (you claim) make them more competitive?

Which country wasn’t too keen on agreeing the EU / India FTA due to potential visa changes, and why do you think that would change if it was a UK / India FTA?

And which country applies the import tariffs on the finished goods, and is the only one that can reduce them (and is currently disinclined to do so)?

I didn't claim that at all.

The main problem with the UK trying to do trade deals with India is that we can't while we remain in the EU.