Article 50 won't be triggered this year under Gove

[AtW]

indeed, especially as there is an existing baseline WTO agreement.

What does a fancy new agreement add that isn't in the basic WTO agreement, in exchange of goods at least even if not in services?

Seems to me all this trade agreement talk was largely a ruse to try and scare would-be Brexiters.

Have you ever bought stuff from USA to be delivered into UK? That's done under WTO agreement and your tulip can remain in customs for 45 working days.

Now buy this from EU right now and you can get it delivered next day.

That's the difference between free trade zone and WTO agreement.

Who'd in EU would be buying from UK manufacturers who'd be under massive disadvantage? Might as well order from China.

[BlasterBates]

Danes inspired by Brexit

[Mordac]

And it won't be triggered by Liam Fox either...

[Mordac]

Have you ever bought stuff from USA to be delivered into UK? That's done under WTO agreement and your tulip can remain in customs for 45 working days.

Now buy this from EU right now and you can get it delivered next day.

That's the difference between free trade zone and WTO agreement.

Who'd in EU would be buying from UK manufacturers who'd be under massive disadvantage? Might as well order from China.

If they're ordering something from the UK, chances are it was made in China anyway, so why would they bother?

[OwlHoot]

Have you ever bought stuff from USA to be delivered into UK? That's done under WTO agreement and your tulip can remain in customs for 45 working days. ...

I never have any trouble buying books from the US.

But if you're in the habit of buying semi-automatic rifles, or hundredweight sacks of semtex, and suchlike then yes I imagine there will be some customs delays

[Bee]

Most of you are suffering from the Brexit Denial Syndrome.

[MrMarkyMark]

Most of you are suffering from the Brexit Denial Syndrome.

At least they all have a valid excuse, whats yours

[SueEllen]

Have you ever bought stuff from USA to be delivered into UK? That's done under WTO agreement and your tulip can remain in customs for 45 working days.

Now buy this from EU right now and you can get it delivered next day.

That's the difference between free trade zone and WTO agreement.

Who'd in EU would be buying from UK manufacturers who'd be under massive disadvantage? Might as well order from China.

Oddly enough years ago before I worked in IT I worked in import and exports.

Outside the EU it involved lots of paper work and money normally in the form of bank credits to get stuff released from customs. The people at the bank would often work longer than their set hours to help some customers out and get stuff released from customs.

Anyway not all stuff is worth buying in China especially clothes. There are countries - not just Bangladesh - that are cheaper and other countries who produce better quality products.

[OwlHoot]

TBH, I think it's rather pointless debating it further on here. There are respected authorities on both sides of this. My personal view (aligned with Lord Lisvane, for example) is that they absolutely can exercise prerogative power, if they wish, but that it would not be politically expedient to do so.

I think that's right, and they could always ask Parliament to retrospectively approve it (which, as you say, wouldn't go down too well as by then it would be an irremediable fait accompli)

In terms of triggering Article 50 quickly, that would be stupid. Aside from the consolidation and planning that we need to engage with, it's one of our few bargaining chips. ..

The other thing to bear in mind that this may not be just between the UK and the EU indefinitely. If continuing uncertainty starts causing domino effects that significantly affect other countries such as the US or China, there may be rapidly increasing pressure to resolve the issue faster than might suit us or the EU.

[AtW]

I never have any trouble buying books from the US.

Books are 0% VAT rated and I believe no custom duty either.