Trump might damage Starmer’s EU dream and power stronger Commmonwealth | Politics | News | EUROtoday

In the tooth of the Trump commerce tariffs — together with towards Canada — this can be a second to think about Britain’s Commonwealth ties.

This particularly refers to a proposed politico-economic union with the Commonwealth Realms, nations with which the UK shares a head of state.

Crucially, this refers primarily to the “CANZUK” states of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK however may very well be widened to incorporate the likes of Jamaica and Papua New Guinea.

Combined, the CANZUK 4 would characterize the world’s largest polity and third largest economic system.

In an period the place bodily proximity issues lower than cultural proximity, the ties and belief between the 4 might create a commerce bloc higher in a position to face up to exterior hits.

In the tip, Trump’s tariffs on Canada haven’t gone via. If that they had nonetheless, the hit to Canada’s economic system might have been devastating.

For Britain, diversification — particularly as a way to keep away from being sucked again into the EU’s orbit — may very well be notably invaluable.

Obviously, Sir Keir Starmer cares nothing for Brexit and needs nearer ties to the EU, however might he be pushed to determine stronger ties with the Commonwealth and discover his beloved bloc fading into irrelevance so far as the UK is anxious?

Already, Australia and New Zealand have freedom of motion ties with Britain, whereas post-Brexit Britain is locking in youth motion ties with all three.

With complimentary economies and a safety tie-up which might sweep a lot of the globe, a CANZUK deal is a no brainer.

With the EU within the rearview mirror, and with commerce tariffs now an actual menace in a post-globalised world, certainly now could be the time to reset with the Commonwealth.