What if Brexit proved to be a success story?

This is a free article which was first published in the bulletin GEAB 123 (March 2018). Enjoy reading it!

So far, the media and political analysts have been unanimous: Brexit represents an uncertain and dangerous future only for the UK. Our readers know that we have always been more circumspect about this. Now that the first phase of negotiations has been completed (at the end of last year) and the second phase is about to start, it is time to admit that this exit from the EU also opens up many opportunities for the UK and that it creates new risks for the EU. Within this second phase of negotiations, which will focus on the transition period and the future relationship between the two parties, the balance of power could indeed reverse. The British government, criticised for lack of clarity and realism since the beginning, clarified a number of points through Theresa May on 2nd March and set out a concrete exit plan.

The EU Commission, for its part, is becoming less and less cooperative and imposing requirements that some judge to be unrealistic (e.g. the impossibility for the UK to start negotiating trade agreements during the transitional period; the demand that the customs barrier be moved from the Irish border to that between N Ireland and Great Britain). If the EU remains blind to the progress made by the UK for too long and shows a base spirit of revenge (intended to scare other countries), it could cause a backlash capable of triggering precisely what it wishes to avoid – a domino effect.

Brexit constituted a major failure of the European Commission – one which required it to start its own reform, rather than taking revenge on the United Kingdom. If, instead, we find ourselves in 2019 in a situation where the United Kingdom, released from the Brussels tutelage, has repositioned itself successfully (dynamic image; modern and turned towards the rest of the world) while the EU is still floundering in the same malfunctions, blockages and slowness which made the UK run away, what do you think will happen?

Theresa May closes ranks

A first sign of the significant change in the balance of negotiating powers is the cordial, even warm, reception reserved for Theresa May’s speech on 2nd March at Mansion House[1]. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has been perceived as being in particular difficulty since the June 2017 elections. We had anticipated her resignation before the end of 2017. The fact is that last December was particularly harsh for her. But she resisted and seems in better shape now, revealing that she also has some powerful support. Even the Guardian, which is far from favourable to her, has picked up the positive reaction from the Conservative ranks to the speech of their chief commander. The author even admits that conjecture about backtracking and organising a new referendum with the implicit goal of cancelling that of 2016, has fallen flat for the moment[2].

Uniting the Conservatives

In this speech, Theresa May managed to address the two currents within her party; Brexiteers and anti-Brexiteers. The pro-EU conservative rebels could appreciate the realism of a speech in which the Prime Minister recognised that there will be losses – that the trade relationship will be less fluid once out of the single market – while the most fervent Brexiteers were assured that the government remained prepared for ‘all scenarios’ (including a ‘No Deal’) and two of her ‘five tests’[3] for a good deal were directly addressed to them[4]. She is managing to close the ranks behind her, addressing everyone in order to gain an accord which the party is missing on the European issue.

British employers attack Brussels

Even more than reinforcing her peers’ support, Theresa May in her speech actually managed to regain that of British employers. In an interview with Le Monde and various European media, Carolyn Fairbairn, executive director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), who has been very harsh with the government so far, is now attacking Brussels: “It is time for the EU to take an open approach and discuss the Prime Minister’s offer of negotiations. It is hoped that her proposal be treated seriously, with respect, without the little phrases we have heard in the past. Of course, not everything will be universally popular and accepted, but it offers a fair and solid basis for negotiation. The head of the British industrial lobby even recalls that negotiation concerns both parties: “Sometimes we hear that the negotiations concern only the UK; that it would be a gift for the UK. This is not true. I spoke to the MEDEF, the BDI (the German employers’ association) and other companies across Europe. They are very clear about this: to keep a close relationship with the United Kingdom is vital for all of them” [5].

Figure 1 – UK GDP Growth, 2015-2018. Source: Trading economics.

The catastrophe did not happen

This is one of the first signals of this type from an employer representative. Until now, employers have been fighting at least to remain in the single market, or even go back on the result of the referendum. The British economic situation certainly has nothing to do with this turnaround. Nearly 21 months after the British referendum, the promised economic collapse did not happen. The unemployment rate has steadily declined, reaching its lowest level in 42 years at the beginning of 2018 (4.3%); British industry has experienced eight months of growth (for the first time since 1994) and low wages will see an increase of 4.3% in April, with a minimum wage of 7.83 pounds (8.8 euros). The most threatening indicator in recent months is that of inflation, but it is now close to 3% and should decline again in the course of the year[6].

The City is not enthusiastic about MIFID II

Another economic sector which has begun a shift in favour of government objectives is the financial sector. The City has certainly never hidden its attachment to the European financial passport (an expression designating the whole of the European regulation allowing Member States to exchange financial services), but it is much less enthusiastic about the new European regulations; the famous MIFID II. If the government’s plan, like that of most British financial companies, is to try to maintain the widest possible access to the European market after Brexit, a failure of this plan would not be viewed with bad eyes[7], because it would actually avoid falling under this new set of regulations. MIFID II came into force last January, and the text extends over 7,000 pages, or as Juliet Samuel[8] likes to remind us, it is “six Bible-lengths[9]“. The liberal DNA of this London environment is known, and it is only marginally compatible with such indigestible market control.

Back to the Commonwealth alongside a deep trade partnership with the EU

A trade in goods without obstacles

An abandonment of this regulation and an emancipation of the Brussels’ tutelage still remain largely probable, because although a trade partnership following Brexit goes without saying, it is far from guaranteed that it will cover financial services as well. The speech on 2nd March has definitely clarified a point that Theresa May had announced widely; the future Euro-British relationship will be framed by a free trade agreement. What seems very likely, if not accepted, is that this agreement will guarantee trade in goods that is free of tariff barriers and quotas, since this objective is shared by both negotiating parties. For Europeans, this point seems obvious since the trade balance of goods is largely to the advantage of the continent. For the British, this will allow them to limit the cost of their imports.

Figure 2 – UK trade balance, goods (blue) and services (yellow), in billions of pounds, 2013-2017. Source: ONS.

Services as a main negotiation issue

On the other hand, trade terms relating to the services sector are still to be negotiated. Here, the balance of power is reversed. The UK has a surplus of trade in services with the EU. The Commission, whose objective is still to prove that the British economy is doing worse after exiting the single market and to show the 27 remaining states that it is cold outside the EU, intends to limit the agreement on this point. This is all the easier because most trade agreements cover very little of this sector. As far as financial services are concerned, no trade agreement has ever managed to take them into account. Theresa May first wants a treaty from these negotiations. The 27 are refusing and are unlikely to shift from this position, because they are aware of the importance of this sector for the British economy. Admittedly, it does have importance, but this is sometimes overestimated. Business services, which cover areas such as legal advice, consulting or marketing, represent a higher value than financial services[10]. And business services will probably be easier to take into account in the free trade agreement, so finance is not the only British asset and the losses caused by limited access to the European financial market will not be irremediable.

Return to Commonwealth

Certainly, the quality of the UK-EU relationship is a genuine goal for the UK. But what is at least as important is the repositioning of the country on a new foundation; a vast and connected politico-commercial space where the British are masters. Naturally, it is on their former empire that they are working to reposition themselves – the Commonwealth. Several events are being organised this year with the aim of preparing a strengthening of trade relationships between London and the other members of this intergovernmental organisation. The Department of International Trade will host the Commonwealth Summit in April 2018 and the UK’s commitment to free and global trade is at the top of the agenda. Theresa May emphasised on 13th March 2017 (Commonwealth Day): ‘As we look to create a truly Global Britain, the deep partnerships that we share through a 21st Century Commonwealth can help us strengthen the prosperity and security of our own citizens, and those of our many friends and allies across the world’[11].

More focused and perhaps more concrete, the North West England region is also hosting a meeting of 300 business representatives and Commonwealth experts. The event marks the launch of the Merseyside & Cheshire Commonwealth Association whose goal is to create a broad network of individuals and organisations committed to promoting business and cultural links between North West England and the 52 Member States of the intergovernmental organisation[12].

Figure 3 – Market share of eurozone and Commonwealth GDP in world economy, 1970-2016. Source: Asia Briefing.

The advantages of the language and the legal system

In this type of relationship, the UK has its own international advantages. Its language and legal system are the main ones. The influence of its universities, its capacity for innovation and scientific and technological research are soft power elements that can also be put at the service of international trade if needed. Open Europe, in a report on trade priorities beyond the EU, considers that the most interesting countries for the UK are Canada, India and Israel. The first two are still part of the Commonwealth. Canada shares the same official language and the other two use it widely. All three have the same legal system[13]. These factors have always been decisive in international trade, which is based primarily on understanding between customers and suppliers and on the ability to apply the contract that binds them.

Untapped commercial potential

In this same study, Open Europe evaluates untapped potential in certain emerging or developed markets. Among those offering the best opportunities, we find three Commonwealth countries: Canada, India and Nigeria.

According to this study, Canada looks like offering the most important opportunities for the UK at the moment, with a potential to increase trade up to 7 billion pounds. To maximise this potential after Brexit, the aforementioned think-tank recommends taking as a basis the agreement recently negotiated with the EU: CETA. Justin Trudeau was quite supportive of this during Theresa May’s visit to Ottawa last September[14]. It should then be adapted to British particularities, extending the provisions of the agreement to services and especially to financial services. In exchange, the UK can offer Canadian citizens easy access to Britain to live or work there. At the moment, they hold no particular advantages. By 2030, according to Open Europe, India is likely to offer the best opportunities because it will experience more significant growth than developed countries in the years to come. This relationship will be much more complicated to explore for the UK, as India remains one of the most protectionist countries in the world[15]. Not to mention that the English have not left good memories there…[16] Nigeria also offers interesting business opportunities – up to 3 billion pounds according to Open Europe. But significant difficulties exist here as well, due to the instability of the country. A free trade agreement is difficult to imagine in the medium term, but British support for the country’s development efforts could be fruitful. It could also be specifically targeted at key infrastructures.

Making the UK a hub for international trade

Growing global demand in the services sector

Beyond the Commonwealth, emerging markets show real opportunities in the services sector. As Simon Evenett[17] explains, demand for services is growing faster than wages, ‘so continued growth in emerging markets should be a significant business opportunity for UK services providers. This is especially true for high-end services.’[18] And many of these emerging markets use the UK legal system, so the UK can easily establish or develop a special relationship with them. The independence of its trade policy and the fact of not having to take into account the interests of 27 other members in a negotiation or even in the setting of objectives in market prospects, will allow it to advance more quickly and with greater flexibility. On the other hand, the difficulty and the time needed to conclude trade agreements must be noted. Nevertheless, it is still possible to export a number of services without trade agreements, precisely because a lot of countries share the same legal system and language as the UK.

Taking over the reins of TISA

An initiative in the global liberalisation of the services sector named TiSA was launched in 2013 in the framework of the WTO and supported by the EU and Obama’s USA. Negotiations have now stalled; halted, among other things, by Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House. If the anticipation issued in the GEAB 122 is realised – of a deadlock in EU trade negotiations due to a confrontation between the Commission and the European Parliament after the 2019 elections – this will leave the field open for the UK to become the driver for kind of negotiation. It probably won’t be enough to completely unblock the situation, but it will be another message sent to developing countries and emerging markets that the UK is ready to open its market and export services in different sectors.

Capturing future global growth

A turn towards this type of post-Brexit economy represents a strategy for the future. Indeed, IMF experts among others have acknowledged that 90% of overall growth in the next twenty years will come from non-European countries[19]. Since the 2008 crisis, emerging and developing countries have had a larger cumulative GDP than developed countries. As a result, the UK is now trading less with the European Union and larger trading blocs than with the rest of the world[20]. The global economy is undergoing and will continue to undergo major changes in the coming years and, with an independent trade policy, the UK will be better able to adapt and position itself strategically.

Figure 4 – Average annual GDP per capita, by “developing” region, 1996-2019. Source: UN.

Becoming a hub of global trade 

The underlying strategy of the British government could seek to make a connection between the two worlds. Since it will have a free trade agreement with the EU, if it signs other ones with countries which do not have agreements with the continent, the UK could end up in an interesting position as an international trade hub. The situation is the same for the USA: Donald Trump and Theresa May have shown their desire to put the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries into the service of trade. Although the balance of power is rather to the American advantage, the UK could also play a privileged position. The United States has 14 free trade agreements with 20 countries and none on the European continent (all of them are in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific or the Americas). Theresa May’s government is certainly aiming to be the intermediary between countries not directly bound by agreements but who may be interested in facilitating easier access to their respective markets. As Gerard Lopez, President of Spanish IT company Plexus has said, ‘Its economy, its geographic location and a currency that is respected could make the UK the hub that has the advantages of a certain independence with all the advantages of being an accepted trade partner to the EU and the US […]. There’s a role to be played as a quasi-independent.’[21]. Such a role would undoubtedly help to mitigate the losses caused by the end of full access to the single market.

Under these circumstances, we see that the UK has all the cards to make Brexit a success story. Now that the government and the Conservative Party are more united behind their leader and entering a more comfortable negotiation phase than the previous one, they will be able to focus on getting the best deal possible from the Europeans. They will also be able to start developing their partnerships again with their ‘Old friends and New Allies’ in order to become an intermediary between the two worlds. Of course, the difficulties and the challenges are real, but sometimes having your back against the wall is the best place to engineer as quickly and efficiently as possible the necessary structural reforms to move in the direction of a new, less western-centred world which anticipates the emergence of new markets.

On the other side of the Channel, there are genuine risks for Europeans, who must not fall into the trap of blocking the negotiation and punishing the British for daring to leave the Union. For one thing, they, too, have a lot to lose in a poor-quality business relationship with their partner across the Channel. For another, taking too tough a stance in the negotiations could turn against the Commission. Already highly unpopular with European citizens, a negotiation in the form of a punitive dispatch has already helped to throw into Theresa May’s hands a British establishment that it hadn’t previously acquired. It also has every chance of displeasing the citizens of the continent, who are more and more allergic to this authoritarian and illegitimate Commission. 2019 could thus turn into a tipping point for the EU and the UK, if the former is unable to modernise/transform, while the latter can prove that, outside the control of Brussels, a modern and ultra-connected business empire can be reconstructed in 2 years’ time…

What if Brexit proved to be a success? What if it showed that the EU is no longer a framework adapted to the challenges, opportunities and ambitions of a country in the 21st century? … Rather than punishing the United Kingdom, perhaps it is time to look objectively at the repositioning work done by this country and put in place a strategy that will allow the continent to benefit from this dynamic – connecting to it and learning from it in order to redevelop its model?[22] If the Commission does not succeed, the Member States will all gradually follow the example of the UK, without a stir and without a referendum, simply de facto. The domino effect has already begun. And de facto the UK is moving on, while still in the EU. What the UK is currently doing, all EU Member States can actually do… and that’s what they are doing, as the rest of this GEAB issue shows.

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[1] Source: BBC, 02/03/2018

[2] Source: The Guardian, 04/03/2018

[3] Very cleverly, Theresa May defined five consensus criteria that a good agreement will have to combine: 1) respecting the result of the referendum; 2) sustainability; 3) protection of jobs and security; 4) consistency with the principles of a modern, outward-looking, tolerant, and European democracy, and 5) strengthening the nations and peoples of the UK.

[4] Source: Politico, 05/03/2018

[5] Source: Le Monde, 09/03/2018

[6] Source : Le courrier international, 19/01/2018

[7] Source: Politico, 07/03/2018

[8] Editorialist for the Telegraph

[9] Source: Telegraph, 07/01/2018

[10] ‘The UK faces struggle to redesign trade relationships, in charts’. Source: Financial Times, 03/02/2017

[11] Source: Independent, 13/03/2017

[12] Source: LBN Daily, 07/03/2018

[13] Source: Open Europe, 25/04/2017

[14] Source: Independent, 18/09/2017

[15] Source: Doing Business, 2018

[16] The British colonisation of India was incredibly violent, as many sources attest. For example: Colonial Justice in British India: White Violence and the Rule of Law, Cambridge Studies in Indian History and Society. Source: Amazon

[17] Professor of International Trade and Economic Development at St. Gallen University in Switzerland.

[18] Source: Financial Times, 03/01/2018

[19] Source: Financial Times, 11/11/2017

[20] Source: London School of Economics,10/02/2017

[21] Source: The Telegraph, 13/07/2017

[22] Something we have already mentioned in September 2016 in GEAB no 107