Post-Brexit tariffs on EU-UK electric vehicle imports staved off till 2027

The European Commission yesterday proposed a three-year delay on cross-border electric vehicle tariffs it described as a "one-off." The rule tweak gives UK and EU automakers until January 1, 2027, before they slap on a ten percent fee when exporting the vehicles to and from the bloc. The previous deadline was less than four …

[Pascal Monett]

So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Could someone please explain why all those billions in trade taxes are not being eyed with envy by governments ?

Why should automakers be exempt from trade tax when everything else isn't ?

Or is this all just a question of "well, we're only getting around to discuss this problem now" ?

[Roland6]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

>” The European Commission yesterday proposed a three-year delay”

Yet another example of taking back control…

Good thing Mogg et al no longer have as much influence as they would reject the proposal and then blame the EU for the introduction of tariffs…

[EvilDrSmith]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Yet another example of the EU and the UK acting like grown ups, and addressing a specific issue of concern to both fairly and logically.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

I think the concern is, "can German or UK made cars compete against Japanese made cars, if both are subject to the same 10% import tax" - i.e. if there's a level playing field?

[Falmari]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

There is one Japanese car company that would not have a problem if "rules of origin" tariffs had not been delayed Nissan. They were already prepared for the "rules of origin" coming into force in January.

Unlike British and European car manufactures Nissan have already built a Gigafactory next to their Sunderland factory. They also building a second Gigafactory as it looks they are going to be building 3 more EVs at the Sunderland factory. At present they only build 1 EV model the Leaf.

[katrinab]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Sure, but is it assembling cells made elsewhere? If so, it wouldn't count as British made.

[Roland6]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Sunderland is not inside the EU…

So cars manufactured in Sunderland would incur the tariff if exported to the EU…

Nissan took a gamble and potentially will get a payback.

[katrinab]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Not quite.

You can export a "British" car to the EU tarrif free. But to be "British", it needs to made from a sufficient proportion of British components. If too many of the components are from elsewhere, including the EU, then it has a 10% import tax.

[Wincerind]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Oh please give it a rest will you.

[Version 1.0]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

All cost increases related to BREXIT will influence the voters who are planning to buy a few EV's. This might affect the next General Election in the UK so the government sees it as needing to be addressed. The political view seems to be that making the original BREXIT situation work is less important than getting re-elected.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

All cost increases and any other problems relating to Brexit will be excused as consequences of Covid and blamed on the Chinese. As to getting re-elected, I think only the Dunning-Kruger wing of the party believes that's remotely possible.

[Version 1.0]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

The history is that the Tories made the UK join the EU, resulting in getting a lot of votes, and then proposed leaving the EU which won them another election. It seems that getting re-elected is far more important to many politicians than helping the country work well.

Joining the EU resulted in profits and some problems, leaving the EU has resulting in costs and some problems ... we've just returned to the early 60's.

[Mike 137]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

"It seems that getting re-elected is far more important to many politicians than helping the country work well"

"Seems" is a monumental understatement. Ever since the late 17th century, PARTY has been more important than the welfare of the nation, and it has progressively become more important, until now it's pretty much the sole consideration. Listening to the news this morning, the entire conversation w.r.t the Rwanda policy was about how it would affect the current govt's chances at the next election, not whether it was legitimate (or even wise) to legislate for a body of people to be denied the human rights available to the majority. However, to quite a significant extent "party first" is, at least in our era, probably just an expression of the "every man for himself" scramble that has been accepted as a norm by our commercialised societies.

[Jason Bloomberg]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

As to getting re-elected, I think only the Dunning-Kruger wing of the party believes that's remotely possible.

And me, and others who fear that Starmer will be deemed such a damp squib that voters splitting between Labour, Lib Dems and Greens will allow the tory scum to win the day.

Every party which gets elected with more voting against them than for inevitably claims a mandate, pretends "the will of the people" is behind them and supports whatever the party decides than what voters voted for, and that nonsense is going to continue while we retain the first past the post system instead of some better from of democracy.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

It's not Labour or the LibDems that will lose the election for the Tories, it's the Tories themselves. Sunak is so unpopular with Tory voters that they'll stay at home rather than vote for him or the other lot, like they did it the recent by-elections.

The only hope they have of winning is to dump Sunak, elect a real Tory as leader, someone who can put together a proper, costed, budget to cut tax, cut spending, shrink government and promote growth.

Do that, and call an election immediately afterwards, and they might just have a chance of winning it.

Sadly there's no obvious candidate. David Frost could probably do it, but he's taken himself off to the Lords, and anyway I have little confidence that the folks in charge of the party could overcome their delusions of adequacy long enough to do it.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

"someone who can put together a proper, costed, budget to cut tax, cut spending, shrink government and promote growth."

When you're in a hole, stop digging.

[Wincerind]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Yes because COVID had no effect at all on anyone's economy.

[Doctor Syntax]

Let me take that like of argument to completion.

And magically prevented any other factors from making any changes whatsoever to anyone's economy. As a consequence any problems found in any economy must be solely and entirely attributed to Covid.

Yup. Completely believable.

[I ain't Spartacus]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Pascal Monett,

Or is this all just a question of "well, we're only getting around to discuss this problem now" ?

No. This was a known problem when the original trade agreement was negotiated. The industry were complaining about it at the time.

It was called the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but wasn't being negotiated in a particularly cooperative spirit. Although there was more cooperation towards the end - when I think everyone decided to just get something done not have to do this anymore.

Why it happened is anyone's guess. But it was EU policy at the time to get a European battery industry going. I think something like a third of the value of an electric car is the battery - and all those were made in China at the time. I think it's also true of other cars that if 60% of the parts don't originate in the EU or the country with the trade agreement - then you start paying tarrifs. There's always going to be global parts, but its hard to get to that 60% EU+UK originated when most of the 40% allowance is already taken up by the battery.

But the Commission would only give this short exemption on electric vehicles. I think because it was seen as a concession, and they weren't in a conceeding mood. And of course the EU initiative to have its own battery industry would already have taken off in three or four years, so it would all be fine.

They could have easily met the same objectives of promoting the sales of EU stuff by making the exemption more sensibly. So either making it longer, or even making it annual with the expectation that the exemption would automatically be renewed until the EU was capable of making say 50% of its own battery needs. At which point the UK would be forced to have its own working battery industry, or buy European ones (probably at a premium). Rather than what's actually happened, which was to deny vehemently that they were ever going to back down - and then only do so at the last minute, creating maximum uncertainty.

As I said at the time of Brexit - once the negotiations became this poisoned it would take a change of leadership on both sides to get to a state of reasonable and sensible compromise. Although we are getting there in quite a few areas already - but I still think it's through gritted teeth with some players not wanting to go back on any position they strongly held three and four years ago. This is a sensible agreement that meets the stated objectives of both sides, to no real disadvantage to both sides - and so should have happened a couple of years ago, when it was obvious the EU weren't going to meet their battery industry expectations / hopes. The industry in the EU has been moaning about this to the Commission for a couple of years now.

[Falmari]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Nissan have already built a Gigafactory next to their Sunderland factory. They were prepared for "rules of origin" coming into force in January unlike the UK and EU car manufactures. ;)

[Dan 55]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Yes, the Automotive Transformation Fund is the gift that keeps on giving for Nissan...

[Hairy Spod]

Re: So, Brexit means Brexit, except when it doesn't

Its because its not enough to counter the multiple extra billions that would be required in welfare payments that could be triggered by a collapse in those supply chains and knock-on effects in other manufacturing industries.

There's also an element of wanting yourself and your friendly neighbours to retain advanced manufacturing capabilities, Ford and the British car industries' experience and capabilities were enormously important in the previous world war and, should the world descend into another period of widespread warfare, well lets just say we would have problems if we were reliant on an enemy building everything for us....

[xyz]

Meh....

Come Jan 1 2027 the "UK" will still be in the cack on the gigafactory front, whilst the EU will be gigfactoryed up. They're building one down the road from me which is a bit behind due to Covid stuffing the timing up. Solar panels are being slapped on everything (inc the median of motorways) and the Portugal to Germany hydrogen pipe is due to be ready 2030 (no arguements about it working or not please). The only thing the EU is short of is water due to the drought, so a smart chap might view that as an opportunity, given the "UK" is up to its wellies in the stuff.

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Question about import taxes

They are presumably collected where the cars are imported, say Rotterdam or Hamburg. But ultimately paid for by consumers in every other Eu country.

If the tax isn't shared out doesn't this just create an incentive for countries with big ports to vote for increased import duties and to even pay incentive foreign companies to land goods there ?

[Paul Crawford]

Re: Question about import taxes

I suspect the taxes are sent to the country where the cars are ultimately sold to the end customer.

[I ain't Spartacus]

Re: Question about import taxes

The EU Common Customs Tariff is collected by member states at the border. But if I remember correctly all (or most) of the money collected goes to the EU. It's part of what's called the Commission's "Own Resources". So it shouldn't matter where goods are imported. Although obviously you have to pay docking and unloading fees to the docks - so they've still got an incentive to get stuff landed at their place, rather than somone else's.

Trade policy is a Commission exclusive competence, i.e. the Commission makes the rules on trade and passes regulations.

[EvilDrSmith]

Re: Question about import taxes

If I recall correctly, at the time of the Brexit vote, it was 75% of the tariffs collected by member states that went to the EU, with the individual state keeping 25%.

There was a proposal to change that to 80%-20% (which I think pre-dated the referendum, but was kept quite quiet), but I think that proposal was rejected by the member states, and it might still be 75%-25%.

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Re: Question about import taxes

Down know why the downvotes, it was a genuine question from somebody who doesn't curl up at night with the Eu Tariff and Customs Guidelines (I'm waiting for the audiobook)

[elsergiovolador]

Charge

Given that the UK doesn't have any infrastructure for EVs and it is unlikely to be built any time soon, you will certainly see some time in 2027 the drivers of EV going round and asking:

"Do you have a spare charge please?"

[I ain't Spartacus]

Re: Charge

Given that the UK doesn't have any infrastructure for EVs

Funny. All the supermarkets I go to have charging points, as do the service stations and the small industrial estate we just moved our office to has a couple in the carpark. The sheltered accommodation and nursing home opposite has a couple as well, though I'm not quite sure why. Oh and there are now a couple in my road, as of the last 6 months.

So I'd say that the UK is growing an electric car infrastructure quite rapidly at the moment. It will be interesting to see how far it goes. Personally I still have a suspicion that electric cars may end up being a bit of a fad - or at least are going to remain a niche product and not completely take over our transport infrastructure.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Charge

All the supermarkets I go to have charging points

At supermarkets it could make sense. At my nearest supermarket there is only 6 charging points that have been recently installed (2 out of these seem to be broken and are taped). The supermarket car park has dozens of parking spaces. I can imagine the anxiety if you are low on battery and you don't know if any will be free when you go there.

There are charging points that you can reserve by the hour, but there is only a handful of the in the town.

There is not very many EVs so that may work for now. They are typically bought by more affluent people who want to virtue signal and they have a drive way where they can install the charger.

The poor will have a different experience - charging point wars, taking few hours out of the day after doing two shifts to get the car to charge somewhere, then return to pick it up (or maybe just sleep in the car whilst is charging) dunno.

I think until they figure out batteries that can be charged at speed of refilling a tank with fuel, and get a comparable range, it will mostly be a gimmick for the rich.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: batteries that can be charged at speed of refilling a tank with fuel

My EV (Kia EV-6) can charge very fast (over 200kWh at low battery percentage)

At a Gridserve charger at the services (J1/M6) the other day, I charged from 20% to 75% in the time it took me to go to the toilets, buy a sandwich and return. 13 minutes total.

I waited another 3-4 mins to eat said sandwich and the car was at 80% battery and I was ready to hit the road.

[Androgynous Cupboard]

Re: batteries that can be charged at speed of refilling a tank with fuel

Surely you left out the bit of the story where you had 30 cars queuing and half the units were out of order? This is the same Gridserve we’re talking about?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: 30 cars queuing

There were zero waiting when I arrived (06:15) and just one of the twelve chargers was out of order.

Besides, there are other 100kWh chargers within 20 minutes drive of Rugby.

Rule 1 of EV driving. Check Zap-Map for when the last charge was on all the charges at your chosen site before it becomes critical. If busy or U/S then divert. It is not that hard and is easier than arriving at a filling station only to find no fuel of the type you want.

I charged at Ionity (M25 Cobham) at midday today. My car was the only one there when I started to charge. When I left, five of the fourteen were in use.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: Charge

"They are typically bought by more affluent people who want to virtue signal "

Evidence?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Charge

I visited the UK last year and contemplated grabbing an EV rental car.

Checked the town I was going to: Zero public chargers.

Not even the super markets.

So I got a petrol engined one instead.

Just look on any app like ChargeMap or ChargePoint. (Gloucestershire)

It's ridiculous to be pushing EVs without public charging infrastructure in place.

[Roland6]

Re: Charge

> It's ridiculous to be pushing EVs without public charging infrastructure in place.

But that would be government encroachment on the free market…

Remember this government policy has been driven by its backers, EVs provide an opportunity for them to extract even more money from people to put into their pockets…

Or perhaps you are suggesting the taxpayer should pay the upfront infrastructure costs, so that the Tories can hand the operation out to a tea or even sell it…

[tiggity]

Re: Charge

I see a few EV charge point in car parks at supermarkets, industrial estates etc. .... but nothing like the amount required for widespread EV usage, given a lot of people will not be able to chareg a car at home...

e.g. when we consider lots of UK householders do not have a driveway to put a car on and recharge (e.g. live in a block of flats, live in a terrace and car parked on street and charge cable would be a health $ safety hazard snaking across the pavement to recharge, no on street parking allowed by their house (e.g. red route or double yellows) etc....)

.. Plus "home rentals", even if rented accommodation has a driveway, to allow recharge with no trip hazard to general public, tenant(s) (renter(s)) dependent on landlord having invested the cash to provide a charging facility (basically in UK tenant has few rights to get this type of work (EV charger installation) done themselves, very much at mercy of landlord)

[WonkoTheSane]

Re: Charge

That's weird.

The UK currently has 10,000 "rapid" chargers, capable of charging an EV at 50kW or better.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Charge

That would probably satisfy 5% or less of the current demand assuming we switched to EVs overnight.

It is vastly insufficient. I stand by my point.

[I ain't Spartacus]

Re: Charge

It is vastly insufficient. I stand by my point.

elsergiovolador,

Your original point was that we couldn't build the infrastructure - and that we didn't have any either:

Given that the UK doesn't have any infrastructure for EVs and it is unlikely to be built any time soon

And nobody is suggesting we built it overnight, becuase it would be insane to, because we aren't going to make the electric switch overnight.

Plus not all charging has to be done while out-and-about. If you've got somewhere to park your car, and you can get the charger fitted - then you can go electric. As long as you don't travel more than 150 miles in a day - then you don't need public charging infrastructure. So in a two car household, having one petrol and one electric becomes a good compromise. If you do travel a lot regularly, then electric may not be the answer for you yet. If you do it a few times a year, then you may consider fitting in a couple of hour-long stops onto those journeys.

But you can't just build the infrastructure tomorrow, because then nobody would use it. And the government might build some, but what will sustain the market for electric cars is regular use. For example I don't recall ever seeing the electric charging spaces completely full in any car park I've been in. Very anecdotal evidence, I don't even always look - though I often do because it's a topic I'm interested in. so it seems to me that the infrastructure is growing at roughly the pace it needs to, at the moment. it needed to be faster a few years ago, now it may be about right, and we need to keep on track.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Charge

and that we didn't have any either:

Yes, we don't have infrastructure yet.

And nobody is suggesting we built it overnight, becuase it would be insane to

It would be insane to build infrastructure for the current poor technology. Even 50kW chargers don't come close to experience at the gas pump.

If you've got somewhere to park your car, and you can get the charger fitted

Yes, that is experience available to those on the affluent side. Designated parking space is a luxury today.

As long as you don't travel more than 150 miles in a day - then you don't need public charging infrastructure.

That doesn't matter. You have to waste a lot of time charging it, regardless how far you travel.

If you do it a few times a year, then you may consider fitting in a couple of hour-long stops onto those journeys.

We don't have infrastructure for that yet and nobody has time for a couple of "hour-long" stops and chasing chargers that are available and not broken.

For example I don't recall ever seeing the electric charging spaces completely full in any car park I've been in.

Reminds me of "The place is so packed nobody goes there anymore". Where I live I don't see many EVs, so naturally I won't see many of them being charged. At my street only my neighbour's son got an EV, but they got rid of it after a month. Too inconvenient.

so it seems to me that the infrastructure is growing at roughly the pace it needs to

Charging points are one piece of the puzzle. Something needs to power them too. Maybe coming Labour government will turn this around as the current corrupt lot would mess up building a lemonade stand.

That said, I am not against EVs, just I think this technology isn't ready for mass adoption and is being pushed too early.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: That doesn't matter. You have to waste a lot of time charging it,

I plug my car in when I get home and it charges overnight when.... I'm sleeping. I don't waste a lot of time charging it.

I do spend a little time when on long journeys but it isn't really an inconvenience. The inconvenience is my prostrate making me go to the loo every two hours or so.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: That doesn't matter. You have to waste a lot of time charging it,

Lucky you. Most people don't have dedicated parking spaces.

[Ace2]

Re: That doesn't matter. You have to waste a lot of time charging it,

There’s no point in arguing with the FUD merchants like elsergio. They post this same spew on every article even remotely connected to EVs.

Almost like they have a vested interest in the fossil fuel industry.

[AndrueC]

Re: That doesn't matter. You have to waste a lot of time charging it,

Lucky you. Most people don't have dedicated parking spaces.

Not true.

"A third of UK homeowners don’t have a driveway or garage to install a home chargepoint"

..meaning that two thirds (ie; 'most') do.

We should also factor in self-selection here. Someone who owns a car will avoid buying a property that doesn't have somewhere they can reliably park it. So of the third that don't have a driveway or garage a fair number will be inner city properties where the occupier is happy to rely on public transport.

[codejunky]

Meh

This should make EV fans happy. And China is necessary for current EV's. Now lets consider what happens if you reduce tariffs on everything else.

[Androgynous Cupboard]

Re: Meh

Free trade? Don’t tell me that as well as hating socialism you hate capitalism?

[codejunky]

Re: Meh

@Androgynous Cupboard

"Free trade? Don’t tell me that as well as hating socialism you hate capitalism?"

How does that work? And I dont hate capitalism/socialism, as long as there is a free market they work in their own environments (socialist government being a problem but thats different).

[Anonymous Coward]

I see that the EU is in recession. And the UK isn't. Also rather more new tech investment going into the UK. More than France and Germany combined.

[xyz]

Hi Nigel, how's Australia?

[snowpages]

But...

https://stateofeuropeantech.com/chapter-2#C2-2-uk-eroding-lead

and

"UK tech businesses are projected to secure $12.7bn (£10bn) in venture capital this year, the highest in Europe once again despite losing ground to the rest of the continent.

France raised the second-most VC funding at $8bn, followed by Germany at $7.8bn."

8 + 7.8 = 15.8 so MORE than 12.7

(from https://www.uktech.news/news/investment-news/uk-tech-funding-2023-vc-europe-atomico-20231128

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: But...

I said tech. That's all VC. Still better than any EU country no?

[Anonymous Coward]

The UK experienced the greatest loss in GDP in Western Europe during the pandemic, any rebound looks better.

The fact is that the IMF consistently predicts either no growth or the UK being the only country in Western Europe to enter recession in 2022, 2023 and beyond. Even if these predictions don't immediately ring true, it's pretty humiliating that a panel of independent experts like the IMF makes such dire predictions. Perhaps it's so bad because the government doesn't like listening to experts who would otherwise help?

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Recession doesn't necessarily mean anything - it's measured by GDP dropping, not anything actually real, especially if your economy is entirely based on banking.

A few €100Bn of inter-bank offset-reversed-hyperbolox-double-pineapple-topping-thincrust derivatives pass through a London bank now officially registered in a pond in Belgium means your GDP goes down 1% - but means bugger all to the man waiting for the Clapham omnibus

[Anonymous Coward]

Pretty much nothing moved other than the nominal location of the balances of EU customers - now nominally located in a name-plate office in said pond. The underlying assets remain unchanged though.

[codejunky]

@Yet Another Anonymous coward

"Recession doesn't necessarily mean anything"

It is nice to hear that remain fears of a UK recession didnt mean anything when they panicked about the referendum. Back then it was the end of the world.

[Anonymous Coward]

Also rather more new tech investment going into the UK

Name some then, other AC.

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft is investing $3.2 billion into AI in the UK for example.

[Anonymous Coward]

Ah, you mean the bribe to allow the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition?

[elsergiovolador]

This metric is meaningless. Usually means big multinationals looking for corrupt government, cheap labour and a lazy tax man.

At its current state, UK is perfect for such investments.

I doubt general public will see any of that money trickling down.

[Tron]

So EVs get a free ride...

... but the rest of us are still being screwed with all the extra costs.

Won't work anyway. EVs are so much more expensive than second hand ICEs, and everyone is so much poorer post-Brexit, that it is mostly only the early adopters that are buying them. Plus the UK government are paying for them to be built, and paying for the batteries to be built, with Chinese style state subsidies. The EU would normally have complained about that, but they are doing it too, in a feeble attempt to beat the US's huge state subsidy programme. Basically, they have all dumped the free market and are trying to be more Chinese than the Chinese.

We needed to be wealthy and have a strong economy to fund a green transition, but governments are killing the global economy by taking down globalisation, cutting supply chains and targeting the tech sector. So don't expect to see many people shelling out to transition. Particularly as all the cheap EVs, solar panels and the like are being blocked, because they are Chinese.

We can afford a green transition or Cold War 2. Our governments have chosen the latter option. Don't be an enemy of the people - check for reds under your bed today. All that climatey stuff can wait a few generations.

The Just Stop Oil protests cost the Met £20m. I wonder how many electric police cars that would have bought? Never mind. I'm sure the protesters found it personally fulfilling.

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Re: So EVs get a free ride...

A simple alternative - we invade Norway and secure a future supply of oil. Then wait for Gobal warming to transform Britain into a sunny paradise.

Cream teas and choruses of Jerusalem all around

[Boris the Cockroach]

Re: So EVs get a free ride...

We tried that in 1940.... damn Germans got there first... just like at that Spanish hotel swimming pool... with their towels on the loungers at 5am before us British had even got out of bed

[elsergiovolador]

Re: So EVs get a free ride...

Global warming has little to do with whatever humans are doing.

But it's a very nice gravy train.

[Steve Davies 3]

Re: transform Britain into a sunny paradise

OR

for the gulf-stream to stop flowing and we all freeze to death (most of northern europe would be in the same boat)

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Re: transform Britain into a sunny paradise

But we left Europe !

[MrGreen]

Tariffs To Kill Free Trade

Our ‘friends’ in the EU don’t want free trade, they’ve used tariffs for 50 years to decimate the UK.

Look at manufacturing, farming, fishing, ship building etc. 50 years ago in the UK compared to Europe. Now look at those industries today. There is no free trade with the EU it’s a protection racket. They’ve pumped money in to Northern Europe and neglected Southern Europe as well.

Free trade means no tariffs.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Tariffs To Kill Free Trade

I sincerely hope you don’t have admin privileges for anything important. There are so many things factually wrong with that post I don’t even know where to start.

[MrGreen]

Re: Tariffs To Kill Free Trade

I sincerely hoped you’d present some facts?

Why don’t we start with the ECB where magic money appears. €652 million in staff cost, €594 million in admin expenses, the list goes on.

“Here at the European Central Bank (ECB), we work to keep prices stable in the euro area.”

I wonder who is in charge of such an organisation? Oh it’s Christine Lagarde. She must be very trustworthy.

She used to work at the IMF? I’m seeing a pattern here:

“A French court has found International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde guilty of negligence but did not hand down any punishment.

As French finance minister in 2008, she approved an award of €404m ($429m; £340m) to businessman Bernard Tapie for the disputed sale of a firm.“

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38369822.amp

[Roland6]

Re: Tariffs To Kill Free Trade

> Why don’t we start with the ECB where magic money appears.

All fiat money eg. Sterling, and crypto currency is “magic money”, the Euro is just another take on this paradigm…

[Anonymous Coward]

Like the loaves and fishes story

Brexit is the poop sandwich that just keeps on giving and giving.

Tuck in old chap!