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US won’t ‘gift’ UK a trade deal By Dan Harrison
President Donald Trump sees the UK as “vulnerable” and will not make transatlantic trade talks easy, according to a Birmingham- based American studies expert. Speaking at a US mid-term elections briefing,
Dr Steve Hewitt from the University of Birmingham said it is “an illusion” to think the US is going to gift the UK a straightforward post- Brexit trade deal. The briefing, hosted by the Midlands chapter
of the British American Business Council (BABC), coincided with the midterm election results in which Trump’s Republican Party lost control of the House of Representatives to the Democrats.
‘I don’t see how things are suddenly going to change over the next two years’
However, Trump became only the fifth
president in 105 years to make mid-term gains in the Senate. Dr Hewitt, a senior lecturer in the university’s
US and Canadian studies department, said: “I think it is a bit of an illusion to think the US is simply going to give Britain this great trade deal, when you look at Trump and the way, for instance, Canada was treated with the NAFTA negotiations. “I think Trump will see the UK as vulnerable, as in a weak position, as in coming round
Mid-term analysis (from left): BABC Midlands manager Lauren Hunt, Paul Forrest, Dr Steve Hewitt, Robert Vaudry and GBCC chief executive Paul Faulkner
effectively with a begging bowl and take whatever is required to get a deal. “So the idea that there is a special relationship
and that somehow is going to trump every other interest is a bit of a fantasy.” Addressing the midterm results, Dr Hewitt
said Trump’s polarisation tactics are working in his favour and are likely to continue in the run- up to the 2020 presidential elections. He added: “The lesson to President Trump is
that polarisation works. He’s not keen to take advice from anyone but the message he will get as with 2016, the tactics he has used work.”
Delegates at Birmingham’s Park Regis hotel
also heard from the West Midlands Economic Forum’s Paul Forrest and Wesleyan’s investments managing director Robert Vaudry. Mr Vaudry predicted Trump will place a strong
focus on foreign policy over the next two years after losing the House of Representatives. He said: “What happens with the House going
Democrat is Trump will have his domestic agenda severely challenged. “Anything domestic will get blocked, so he will
focus much more on foreign affairs, which will have some upside and downside in many respects.”
Airline teams up with Special Olympics GB
United Airlines has joined forces with Special Olympics GB in a partnership which is described as “a joint effort to break down barriers” and “end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities”. The partnership will build on United’s legacy of inclusion, with both
organisations working together to create a better understanding of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The two organisations took part in the Race the Plane event organised
by Heathrow Airport with Special Olympics GB athletes and United employees cycling together along with other teams on stationary wattbikes, racing United flight 883 operated by a Boeing 767-400ER from London Heathrow to New York/Newark. Bob Schumacher, United’s managing director for sales, UK and Ireland,
said: “We take great pride in our new partnership with Special Olympics GB and are delighted to have taken part in the Race the Plane challenge at London Heathrow. “It is extremely impressive that over 400 people gave up their free
Flying high: Special Olympics GB athletes join forces with United employees
time to participate in what was a fantastic event, with the aim of raising over £100,000 for charity.” Murton Mann, chairman of Special Olympics GB, said: “We are particularly excited to have United Airlines on board as our official partner of Special Olympics GB. Our strengthened relationship with United provides a platform to drive inclusion throughout its network, benefiting our 10,000 athletes across England, Scotland and Wales.”
December 2018/January 2019 CHAMBERLINK 43
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