To worry about America?

If the Republican Party hadn't chosen Donald Trump, we would not have these dangerous idiots calling the shots. They could have chosen a different Republican, but they didn't. Instead they chose a repeat sex offending felon with no regard for democracy.

You want someone to blame? Blame the Republican Party. It's their fault.

Sure. Kinda like blaming the sexual assault on the woman having worn a short dress?

But MushMonster, that's the delusion that Trump has sold to the deprived of USA, that an industrial renaissance will be easily accomplished. Its a lie both there and here, those manufacturing days are gone for us, and what we used to call the third world are the beneficiaries. We're all going to have to change our approach and think differently about 'progress' as nations. The old ways have run out of steam, excuseq pun.

Indeed - there are many steps before rejoining! Any step closer to facilitate trade would be good news. All I can see however is us drifting further away. The Swiss model would be perfect. And there's precedent for it.

Maybe they should start with trying to get back into the Common Market (for goods only)). Then, they can add the EU itself if things look favorable.
I agree they should be talking to the EU about opening some avenues.

My position is that it is possible, because it is the only real option we have. So we will make it possible. That is, if we want to preserve the freedom and rights of our children and grandchildren.

Yes, you touched the sensitive part. It is against the interest of a few, those with most of the money.
But it is in the interest of the majority, so my position is that it will happen, must happen and we should have started before yesterday.
But 100% agree that smashing it all is not going to take US anywhere. Trump is doing this wrong.

Making sure that we retain domestic arms manufacturing (including steel production and other parts of the supply chain) is of strategic importance though.

I approve of what they are doing. They are showing the obvious, practically - that for the future of the UK we need to be closely aligned with the EU and perhaps most importantly that we can be trusted. It's a long term view. In even 10 years things might look very different- not just for us either.

If Brexit means aligning ourselves with the authoritarian oligarchs then we are really screwed.
Not only will this mean accelerated deregulation and therefore loss of worker rights and standard of living (already happening) but it will be especially bad if we become little more than a US protectorate. Talk about sovereignty ha! We'll be actual vassals this time. Frankly, it'll be probably better living in the actual US than sticking around here. I don't want that to happen to the UK but our government is showing unforgivable signs of weakness. As for Farage, he's the literal 5th column... Let the Tories detox and grow a spine. Same for the Libdems. I mean, they're all abysmal.

This government should try. They have definitely not tried to make a case for it even though it's really needed now. That's their job as government. Not pleasing the crowds - that's the job of demagogues like Farage. A government has to govern and make the tough decisions and be transparent about them and about why. It's not at all what's happening. They're burying their heads in the sand and not being honest with the voters.

'Anyone knows why they're so wedded to Brexshit'

• because Reform are at 24% plus in the polls
• because Johnson won an unexpected actual majority government really almost entirely on his Brexit credentials (plus Corbyn being passionately wanted only by a minority of voters)
• if you talk to a lot of voters you will find again that there is zero bulk appetite to go back into the EU and that's been consistent despite every attempt of people like me (Labour/Lib Dem, graduate bleeding heart) to say otherwise

I'm very Remain and still think it was a dumb vote but it doesn't help to ignore reality.

There's a fascinating book about manufacturing and global supply chains by the NYT reporter Peter Goodman called How the World Ran Out of Everything. There's a case study that runs through it about a young entrepreneur trying to get a novelty toy manufactured in the US who finds out it's essentially impossible to get it made anywhere other than China. The manufacturing infrastructure is gone in the US.

I don't disagree that a more diversified economy that includes a manufacturing base is a good idea, but you don't get there fast or by smashing everything. You get there through thoughtful, structured growth, which is expensive and slow and against the interests of shareholders and CEOs and consumers. It will never happen.

Yes I do worry. My husband is American and my children are dual citizens. We live in the UK but had plans to move back there when the kids are older. What I will say is though, please don’t dump the leadership and all American citizens in the same basket. Many Americans are not happy and don’t agree with political stances, just like I don’t always agree with politics here in the UK where I’m from.

? Don't know how that happened. Apologies.

@MushMonster hoping to re establish manufacturing here in UK isn't possible, there is no way it makes economic sense. Why do you think the remainder of our industries are 1. Foreign owned and 2. Being shut down here with jobs exported overseas. Because owners can get labour cheaper elsewhere and if they could get it free they would. Similar applies to USA. Look at Detroit, for example. Abandoned by investors with those who can't leave scrabbling in the ashes for a living. Betrayed by grabby incompetent politicians in both countries, the working class needs to redefine itself or it will be an eventual return to serfdom. A different solution needs to be found and Bigly hasn't got one.

@MushMonster hoping to re establish manufacturing here in UK isn't possible, there is no way it makes economic sense. Why do you think the remainder of our industries are 1. Foreign owned and 2. Being shut down here with jobs exported overseas. Because owners can get labour cheaper elsewhere and if they could get it free they would. Similar applies to USA. Look at Detroit, for example. Abandoned by investors with those who can't leave scrabbling in the ashes for a living. Betrayed by grabby incompetent politicians in both countries, the working class needs to redefine itself or it will be an eventual return to serfdom. A different solution needs to be found and Bigly hasn't got it.

Ok, yes, I can see I misread your post regarding 'going Trump'. However my point about how painful the transition from globalised to localised industry still stands: I don't think any government is willing to make that choice because of the fairly disastrous short term economic implications.

If anything, it looks like Starmer is selling us out to the US with a botched trade deal which will a) do nothing to help our economy (will we even be spared tariffs?) and b) make it harder if not impossible to get closer to the EU again.

I have NO IDEA why this stupid government is pursuing a TORY wet dream? Anyone knows why they're so wedded to Brexshit and hell bent on selling out to a fascist regime?

Yes, we will have to adapt.
Better adapt now that live in a world that is a continuation of the current shitshow.

Freedom and independance cannot be bought with any commodities.

I do not think you read my post properly.
I am saying I do not agree with Trump's way. He is smashing the previous system.
I am pro returning of manufacturing to UK and the other European countries, in an orderly way. Without delay, but no need to enter any trade wars or be the opposite of diplomatic. Neither do I want UK to start threatening the sovereignity of any other country.
What can be wrong with making our own clothes here? Our own steel? Own computers? Own whatever our resources allows to. And buy materials that we do not have here, but manufacture the final product here. Invest in our own research, own design, own make.
That will give us growth, keep people employed, keep our pounds in the house and makes safer and more resilient, as we will be more independant.

Excellent. That'll be a vacancy for a lavatory cleaner freed up, Just the expertise thats needed in USA defence given the amount of ordure Bigly is bringing in.

To people like this, to be white and male is to be inherently qualified. Anybody not those two things is only ever qualified for the most menial of labour.

You know that you're citing unverified (and arguably unbelievable) spin that's potentially bullshit, right?

This version was put out by White House spokespeople after the French research minister alerted the media. The reason it's unbelievable is that in cases where someone is caught entering a country with classified information stolen from the country they are entering, they are not turned around and returned to their home country. They are detained, investigated and charged or cleared and released.

Unauthorised retention of classified material from a foreign country is a very serious offence. They do not just send you home on a return flight. I look forward to seeing the administration presenting their evidence.

Here's your true DEI hire

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-brother-job-wife-b2723750.html