The top line shows the value of German exports to France in billions of euros. The bottom shows the value of French exports to Germany. It's an ever widening gap.
I'm no economist but with such disparity between Germany and the rest of the EU on this and other matters such as world trade, banking, common currency, national debt, transport and immigration, not to mention the proposed multinational EU Army and the many inter_EU problems (for example the 27 current members speaking 23 different languages and having their own traditions and values) I wonder how the EU can seriously be expected to function as an entity in any other way.
Unless the EU Project is driven by a couple of willing masters as it is at present it will surely find itself on a slippery and uncertain path.
It seems to me that the EU system, or some would say monster, demands subservient countries be willing to work in the interest of the willing masters.
Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
The post-Brexit future is not grey as the doomsayers have it. In fact it is a sunny option. We shall now renew and strengthen ties with many old friends, those peoples who have stood by us in our hour of need. And we shall make new friends around the globe unhindered by EU dogma.
The British Ambassador here has advised Britons and Austrians to keep calm and drink tea. Britain, he adds, is going to leave the EU not the world.
Everyone likely to be affected by Brexit should consider making a post-Brexit plan in order to move forward:
Here's mine:
Good advice with the run - walking Gwil. Just been on a 7 mile walk and just had a tin of Baxters Cock a leekie soup. Then its an afternoon topping up my perennials in pots with compost. I am a European at heart but you're right life will carry even after soft Brexit.
ReplyDeleteI like a man who tops up his perennials - Mae West. No, I'm only joking of course?
DeleteI think Brexit ever since Thatchers famous "No. No. No." it's always been an inevitable. Life will carry on in Britain and the rest of the world but what will happen in the EU in the future unless there are major changes is anybody's guess.
Because of arthritis is can no longer run - in fact I can barely walk, but I do both in spirit.
ReplyDeleteYou sing and play the ukele which are two things that bring pleasure to many.
DeleteUnfortunately the doomsters have the loudest voices. It could have been so good.
ReplyDeleteThe overcrowded prisons in Austria are not overflowing Austrians. A report today flags up the fact that 55% (yes 55%) of the inmates are foreigners. Serbia, Turkey and Afghanistan head the list.
DeleteThe strongest will for the good of all has prevailed this last hundred years or so. May it so go forward. But, dear god, you guys need ports of entry!
ReplyDeleteWe have ports facing west! Let's open them up!
DeleteIf a French businessman wishes to make a statement about his success, he buys a German car! I have never understood why anyone who's success has been founded on the back of his own country's economy, would then say 'thank you' by supporting the economy of a rival country.
ReplyDeleteMy car is French and I'm a Welshman living in Austria. I won't be buying a Honda anytime soon. I won't buy a German car because of the diesel manipulation scandal which was known about and covered up before being exposed by the Americans. The scandal involved a cartel of German companies. Another dodgy factor or what?
DeleteI drive a French car now, but I've been thinking of buying a Honda because they were recently said to be the world's most reliable!
DeleteThey used to say that about Toyota in the 70s. I remember my parents car breaking down on a cold and foggy night and all us kids in the back. They had a sticker in the back window which read: Running in Please Pass.
DeleteI had my last car 13 years. It was a Renault.
My Citroen has a Honda engine.
DeleteWhere are you Gwil?
I voted remain and now think that a soft Brexit is probably the best expression of what people want - the UK voted to leave but not overwhelmingly so. Whatever happens, the big issues here are the nhs, social care, housing, etc. I think our focus here on Brexit has (a) deflected attention away from these pressing issues and (b) obscured the internal problems other eu countries have regarding the eu. If Brexit turns out to dire, the young people in this country who want to remain may well reapply. Europe will then dictate terms and the UK could end up in ten years time using the Euro! Hardly the outcome the hard Brexiteers have in mind.
ReplyDeleteKeep calm and drink tea. Brexit or no a decent cup of Yorkshire tea is not to be found to the east of the German Sea.
Delete