No single market access for UK after Brexit, Wolfgang Schäuble says

[Ghost Dog]

... Commentators in Germany point out that Germany has more to lose from a Brexit than a segment of its export market and that the government was able to sideline economic interest to diplomacy in its relationship with Russia.

Until recently, the assumption in Berlin’s political circles had been that Schäuble’s finance ministry was more open than others to the idea of keeping open a back door for renegotiating some form of associate membership for Britain after an out vote.

But the interview in Der Spiegel, which will be published on Saturday but has been seen by the Guardian, indicates a less flexible stance. “Europe will also work without Britain if necessary,” Schäuble said. “At some point, the British will realise they have taken the wrong decision. And then we will accept them back one day, if that’s what they want.”...

... While warning that it would be a “miracle” if there were no economic drawbacks for Britain following a withdrawal, Schäuble also admitted that a Brexit could have dramatic consequences for the rest of the European Union...

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/10/no-single-market-access-for-uk-after-brexit-wolfgang-schauble-says

SPIEGEL: Why is it better for the EU if the British remain? They have repeatedly distanced themselves from the EU in recent years.

Schäuble: Britain is one of the strongest economies in the EU, and London is Europe's largest financial centre. Britain plays a leading role in all matters of foreign and security policy. That is why Europe is stronger with Britain than without it. Besides, the UK consistently advocates market-based solutions in Brussels, which frequently makes it an ally of the German government. And, in my view, one cannot have enough British pragmatic rationality in Europe.

SPIEGEL: And why is it better for the British to remain in the EU?

Schäuble: Britain is economically very closely integrated with its European partner countries. Were these ties to be cut, it would be a huge step backwards for the country and would weaken it considerably. In the era of globalisation, "splendid isolation" is not a smart option...

http://spiegel.de/international/europe/a-1096999.html

My take: Germany will make sure UK suffers economically for Brexit, even at some economic cost to itself, because the future of the whole EU project is at stake, and because, for all concerned, it is better to have UK in EU than out.

[LeftishBrit]

3. I momentarily read that as 'If the UK exists'...

Which it may not do for long if there's a Brexit. Scotland may well choose remaining in the EU over remaining in the UK.

And no, we do not want Trump the Rump as Prime Minister. Not even if we could send Farage to you in exchange.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. Well said, Schäuble. Time to lower the boom on the temperamental Brexit Brits.

40+ years ago they wailed and whimpered to be allowed to join the EU.

At the time, the founding members were extremely sceptical, fearing just such antics.

God dammit, a commitment is a commitment, a covenant is a covenant.

Their high-handed ways perfectly justify their nickname of "Perfidious Albion".

[LeftishBrit]

4. Excuse me, we're not ALL Farage-loving twits.

Don't judge us by the Brexit fanatics, and we won't judge Americans by Donald Trump.

I strongly hope for a Remain vote on June 23rd.

[Surya Gayatri]

5. Of course, LB. My British friends are all in the "REMAIN" corner.

That 's why I specified "BREXIT BRITS"--those who blindly follow BORIS the BOMBASTIC.

It's a truce. If you promise not to blame all of us Yanks for Trump, we'll promise not to mock you about Boris.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Agreed!

'Boris the Bombastic' - perfect name for him!

[Bad Dog]

8. Allowing Britain to leave but keep all the benefits of membership is a ridiculous idea.

There'd be a rush to leave with countries wanting to cherry pick the best bits.

[Ghost Dog]

9. The bombast's empty rhetoric claims otherwise:

No need to listen to Mr. Schäuble, others, for Boris, obviously. What I tell you three times is true...

When it comes to the single market, you don't have to be in it to win it
BORIS JOHNSON
12 JUNE 2016 • 7:23PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/12/when-it-comes-to-the-single-market-you-dont-have-to-be-in-it-to/

... Britain would have a great future outside the EU – trading freely with the EU and the rest of the world, while engaging fully at an intergovernmental level with all the political and diplomatic questions in Europe. On every major question it is possible to take back control – and thrive...

...Dyson is the No 1 brand leader in the German vacuum-cleaner market. Does he worry about tariffs, if we left? Of course not. The Germans would not dream of it: we Brits buy 820,000 German cars every year, worth about 20 billion euros. In fact we buy one fifth of Germany’s entire car output. As Dyson points out, tariffs would mean the Germans would be cutting their own throats. It won’t happen...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/12/when-it-comes-to-the-single-market-you-dont-have-to-be-in-it-to/

[Bad Dog]

10. Dyson's pissed off because of EU environmental regulations mean he has to produce more efficient

environmentally friendlier vacuum cleaners. He and the JCB boss are a tiny minority, but that doesn't stop BoJo bigging them up out of all proportion.