On your continental Short Trip Theresa May speech in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The has so far done everything possible to bind the British in spite of Brexit closely to the EU. But the unity of the EU is just as important.
The output of the Brexit referendum in the UK two years ago was also in Berlin as a shock. A few in the German policy-makers had expected, and as good as no one was, and is, for a British exit from the European Union. At the very least, this is true for the government, under Chancellor Angela Merkel.
This has various reasons, political and economic.
In the trade the UK is associated particularly closely with Germany. According to the latest Figures from the Federal statistical office in 2017, the United Kingdom is the fourth-largest buyer of German Goods and services after the USA, France and China. In the case of the British imports to Germany, the UK ranks only on place eleven. The mutual trade turnover amounted to 2017 well 122 billion euros. Only China, the Netherlands, the USA and France registered even higher sales.
No wonder, then, that Berlin – and London is already one of the most trouble-free continuation of this rain trade you are interested in, whether with or without a Brexit.
The UK as a market is very important for Germany
Berlin and London have a lot in common
Also, politically speaking, London has been a particularly close ally of the German government under Merkel. In many questions the ruling Conservatives tick similar to the CDU/CSU-led Federal government. They are, for example, for sound business management and fiscal discipline, free trade, for international rules to which it holds. All of this is neither in the European Union in the world, of course, today less than ever.
In addition, the UK has weight in the world. It is a permanent member of the security Council, it is atomic power, it has a special relationship with the United States, and it has through its history a world-wide network of relationships that can be used for diplomatic initiatives. The UK plays in foreign policy in a higher League, as his size would actually suggest.
From Berlin’s point of view, it would therefore be best if the UK remains in the EU. Since the British have decided by now – if only barely – in the Referendum on the Brexit, Merkel pushed for in the negotiations between London and Brussels to keep the relations, however, as closely as possible. Even now, Merkel is expected to contribute its part to ensure that Theresa May goes to the upcoming EU summit with anything home that facilitates the adoption of the Brexit agreement in the British house of Commons.
Opposite directions: Merkel and of May in Brussels
The EU will hold together
But politically, there is also the very opposite of the interests of Germany, and the German Position is so difficult. Because Berlin is also interested in the unity of the European Union and want to make it clear that you can enjoy all the benefits of the EU only, if you are a member. Each Yielding to the British “cherry-picking” to undermine this principle. Other countries should not be encouraged to emulate the British.
The Chancellor was relieved, as the EU agreed a few weeks ago, finally the present agreement. The EU was headed up to the limit of what they could be – also on German Insistence. The Brexit would expire in accordance with this agreement, you could be in Berlin reasonably satisfied: the Close ties of great Britain, especially when trade would remain, and the unity of the rest of the EU would continue to be respected. That May for this can be found in the British Parliament, no majority is, therefore, for Germany, so disappointing. But in Berlin, the patience is coming to an end.
If Theresa May wants even more now, you can’t expect the Chancellor much. Because Merkel fears that everything could be so laboriously Reached between the EU and the UK lapses. Even more, in Berlin as in other major cities to believe that we could make London as many concessions as it wants, the hardliners in the Conservative party would always ask for more. There is also a certain sense of Pride plays a role, the EU cannot be blackmailed. Therefore, it can go for the Germans now, at most, to the smallest of formulation variations, and not Changes in substance.
EU wants to talk about “collateral” for London
After the visit, Mays, Merkel reiterated that there will be no renegotiations. In the Union Bundestag group, she stressed, according to several participants, however, that the EU is ready to talk with May about the additional “collateral”. The aim is that the UK is not because of the unsolved Northern Ireland-issue after 2021 is automatically a customs Union with the EU.
According to the information from the group meeting, Merkel was confident that it could possibly be a solution. Because even British members of Parliament wanted the majority of the no exit of Britain from the EU without an agreement, said the Chancellor. Because this is the worst solution.