By methods devious, I have received the following transcript from Our Man in Delhi of a meeting between Dr. Liam Fox and Mr. Suresh Prabhu, the Indian Minister for Trade and Commerce. It is undated and unconfirmed by other sources.
<Tape begins> (Sounds of chairs scraping on the floor).
SP: Come in Dr Fox. Please take a seat. So good to meet you.
LF: Thank you Minister. It is good of you to see me.
SP: Now, what can I do for you today?
LF: I'd like to explore preliminary discussions of a trade deal between our countries to take effect after we leave the EU. Just a few jottings, thoughts, areas of interest and so on and so forth.
SP: Of course! Of course! Delighted to oblige. I've given it some thought, and I've jotted down a few things. Red lines, I believe you term them? I think you're familiar with those?
LF: Err,,. yes.
SP: Good, good. So, firstly we need to get rid of these visas for our citizens and their families. Free entry and no limits. Secondly. the UK will recognise all educational and other qualifications obtained in Indian universities and other establishments. Thirdly, we expect adequate and affordable housing when and where required for our citizens, together with access to all the facilities afforded to your own citizens. Fourthly, we require preferential treatment for our pharma, IT software, and textile and garment industries. I think that'll do to be going on with... is there anything you'd like to say?
LF: Err.... Um.... well, I'll have to think about it and discuss it with my colleagues in Whitehall. I'm sure we can work something out........?
SP: Of course. Delighted to help out the old country in her time of need in any way we can. Just say the word.
LF: Well. thank you Minister (scrape of chair being pushed back). I'll be in touch.
SP: Good, good. I'll look forward to it...... Oh, one other thing before you go...... The big diamond.....
LF: The big diamond?......Err, I don't understand?
SP: Yes, the big diamond in Queen Mary's crown. We want it back. See to it.
LF: (indistinct mumblings) talk it over....the Queen.. Empire.....
SP: Shut the door on your way out Dr. Fox.
<Tape ends>
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It's Johnny Foreigner's fault. Send 40 gunboats.
Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, has said that other countries are to blame for the fact that the UK does not have alternative trade deals ready by 29 March to replace the existing 40 EU ones that will lapse if the UK leaves without a deal. Asked about this revelation in today’s Financial Times (see 10.57am), he said:
[The agreements are] not just dependent on the UK. Our side is ready. It is largely dependent on whether other countries believe that there will be no deal, and are willing to put the work into the preparations.
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nah. When the Dear Leader takes over we'll buy our petrol from Venezuela at prices guaranteed to facilitate the next stages of the revolution Comrades.Originally posted by Uncle Albert View PostIt'll be fine, we'll be free to trade with South Sudan, the 138th largest economy in the world! They even have petrol
OEC
- South Sudan (SSD) Exports, Imports, and Trade PartnersLeave a comment:
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It'll be fine, we'll be free to trade with South Sudan, the 138th largest economy in the world! They even have petrol
OEC
- South Sudan (SSD) Exports, Imports, and Trade PartnersLeave a comment:
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Brexit will be the easiest thing ever
Just 11 Times Leave Campaigners Said That Brexit Would Be EasyLeave a comment:
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What is needed is a club, of countries, who mutually gain from trading as a single block, to make better trade deals with the rest of the world.Originally posted by chopper View Post
One with a diverse set of countries that are geographically proximate.
With a common culture and history.
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40 Trade Deals
2017: Liam Fox promises to sign 40 free trade deals the 'second after' Brexit
2019: UK fails to close global trade deals ahead of Brexit deadline
Oops.“Almost none of them are ready to go now and none will be ready to go by March"
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