Economic War - UK versus France

 

Once again the French, or should I say, the Froggies, are at it again with threats issuing from the French Government to block UK exports to their country. However, the British Government has vowed to retaliate if France carries out a threat to block British fishermen from its ports over the post-Brexit fishing row. This 'dispute' has been dragging on for serval months now. Yesterday a British Government spokesman said the French ultimatum to disrupt trade and block energy supplies would be hit with “an appropriate and calibrated response.”

 Anything else to add, Froggies? Yes! Paris warned that from Nov 2nd it would be ready to "block British fishermen from its ports and that its customs officials could implement a 'go slow' approach at its borders for incoming shipments from the UK". Some idiot standing in for Emmanuel Macron said the country will “not let Britain wipe its feet on the Brexit deal.” He also mentioned that sanctions could be announced on Thursday which is, as I write, today.

Once again the French Government warned of a so-called 'secondary range of measures' that could restrict energy supplies to Jersey, that would increase the energy price, and would implement even harsher customs controls on cross-Channel trade.

I'll quote what a British government spokesman said yesterday: “France’s threats are disappointing and disproportionate, and not what we would expect from a close ally and partner. The measures being threatened do not appear to be compatible with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and wider international law, and, if carried through, will be met with an appropriate and calibrated response. We will be relaying our concerns to the EU Commission and French government."

You know what? For as far back as I care to remember - maybe it's got something to do with the six nations yearly rugby tournament when we play the Froggies either at Murrayfield in Edinburgh or at the Stade de France in Paris - that I so wanted us to beat the French. Don't ask me why but I did. I can go back to 1963 when the then French leader, Charles De Gaulle, blocked Britain's application to join what was then the EEC. There were other tensions over the years but when Britain left the EU in January last year (2020 Brexit) the French absolutely hated it - why? Because, I believe, that when we were part of the EU, the French deemed that they had a handle on British politics and economics. It's a lengthy story and shall leave it that for the meantime.

I would end this blog by saying that in recent weeks, a number of EU countries believe the French leader is using the row over fishing to attempt to secure more domestic support ahead of next April’s presidential elections. All I can say is that I wish the French vote out this arsehole, Macron, and maybe the UK and French nations will once again come together for diplomatic and economic prosperity!

As for Macron, Bon débarras aux mauvaises ordures (good riddance to bad rubbish)!