PROFILE
FROM Jeremy Cliffe
What's the Future of Brexit? After Britain voted to leave the European Union last year, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted that, "Brexit means Brexit." But yesterday, as negotiations finally began, her chief representative, David Davis, sounded a different tone, declaring, "There is more that unites than divides us." Is that a concession? Britain's position has weakened, while the EU is stronger because of France's recently elected leader, Emmanuel Macron. Uncertainty about the Trump Administration's foreign policy is also having an impact in Europe. Is it possible there could be no Brexit at all?
Is America retreating from the world? During the Obama administration, numerous Republicans criticized Obama for "leading from behind." But as President, Donald Trump has made withdrawing the country from international commitments his calling card. Observers of the Trump White House notice two opposing groups of advisors surrounding the President. Globalists promote conservative values while advocating for America's continued presence and influence on world affairs while nationalists appear to encourage the President to withdraw the country from the global stage on a series of issues, from trade to global warming, following Trump's "America first" campaign pledge. Is this dangerous isolationism, a domestic political play or a sensible path forward? What will the global stage look like with a diminished United States? Who will fill the void: Europe, China…or Russia? Shortly after our discussion, President Trump made an announcement from the White House Rose Garden, officially withdrawing United States from the Paris climate agreement.
'Brexit' is here: Let the wrangling begin After hundreds of years of almost continuous warfare, 28 nations created the European Union. Now, the UK is becoming the first to go back on its own. The British exit, or "Brexit," began today , and nobody thinks the next two years are going to be pretty. Scotland might even declare independence from the UK. Remaining EU countries don't want to punish Britain, but they don't want to make leaving look easy, either. Can they agree on new rules for imports, exports, tariffs and immigration as six decades of cooperation ends in a historic divorce?
Brexit details and European reaction to Trump Brexit really means Brexit. That was made clear today by British Prime Minister Theresa May in a speech to European Union ambassadors in London — with the emphasis on slowing the rate of immigration. "The message from the public before and during the referendum was clear: Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe, and that’s what we will deliver." Jeremy Cliffe, a columnist for The Economist , based in Berlin, says the move could come at the cost of some prosperity.
Theresa May Becomes The U.K.’s Prime Minister The United Kingdom was without a Prime Minister today when David Cameron delivered his final speech from No. 10 Downing Street in London. But the vacancy didn’t last long. Soon after Cameron notified Queen Elizabeth he was stepping down, the Queen asked Theresa May, another Conservative Party Member, to form a government. Jeremy Cliffe is Political Editor and Columnist for the Economist.
Brexit’s Winners, Losers and Political Surprises The Brexit aftershocks continue today with front runner Boris Johnson surprisingly dropping out of the race for Prime Minister and his close ally UK Justice Minister Michael Gove, in a dramatic about-turn, stepping up instead. 7 days after the historic referendum Parliament churns with intrigue and global markets still have the jitters. Investors are waiting to see how the European Union will manage Britain’s withdrawal and member nations growing complaints that the EU is undemocratic. How will all of this uncertainty affect Europe’s handling of international security, migration, and humanitarian aid? One thing seems clear: Germany stands to gain power within the bloc and perhaps substantial financial benefits as businesses abandon London.
The "Brexit" Campaign Comes Down to the Wire The much-anticipated vote on British Exit from the European Union is scheduled for Thursday. Prime Minister David Cameron used stark terms today to describe the consequences for the economy. "I feel so strongly that Britain should remain in Europe. Above all, it is about our economy: It will be stronger if we stay, it will be weaker if we leave." The "Leave" campaign is based on mistrust of distant bureaucrats, fear of the global economy and anxiety over immigration -- shades of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. We hear about an American-style political struggle, complete with vitriol and shameless exaggeration.
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