To think Macron is ridiculous

[Dongdingdong]

These poor lorry drivers are very isolated anyway due to the nature of their jobs. The chances of them catching this new super strain and transmitting it are even slimmer than most people’s very slim chances. Macron’s decision to close the border is a hysterical overreaction and no doubt politically (Brexit) motivated. Open the borders and let them through!

If I were a head of state I'd have closed my borders to the UK too. We will probably find other countries who have cases of the new variant and they will be cut off too at least briefly.

It's a sensible first step, but not practical for any length of time. The countries that need our trade will find ways to open the borders again. They don't just trade with the UK as a favour to us.

Who'd have thought a European country could manage its own affairs - almost like having sovereignty.

In fact Germany and France were threatened with infringement proceedings in March;

"The Commission threatened to launch infringement proceedings against Germany over the country's export ban on personal protective equipment. Germany, which had earlier asked the Commission to consider banning equipment exports outside the bloc, said it will make its ban more flexible early this week. France has also requisitioned the production of all face masks."

"Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton earlier Sunday celebrated Germany and France's decisions to unblock exports after “intense conversations” between all three."

www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-eu-limit-exports-medical-equipment/

So is it better to be part of a bigger collective where people generally work together and if one part of that collective wants to look out for themselves, the rest of the collective gets together with them and talk about 'infringements' - or is it better to be out of the collective and not have any chance of getting what another member has and we need - because we are not part of it anymore?

We chose the latter. To be out of the collective. And we are surprised when the collective acts in its own interest and looks out for itself and its members.

The problem with a ‘collective’ is needing everyone’s agreement to get anything done. Standing alone sure makes it easier to make decisions however the downside of that is few allies and less people telling you you’re acting like an arsehole.

So swings and roundabouts.

Do you in France you can only buy French wine, how is that allowed under the rules of the EU?

Are you trying to say in France you can only buy French wine?

Looking at our wine rack and what's in the fridge Chez Nous I'd say that is very much fake news....Hic

You can buy other countries wines in France 😆

@chomalungma

But amid a global shortage, France earlier this week ordered the requisition of all protective masks made in the country

It's almost like it has control of its own borders, and can make up laws to protect its people.

Next you'll be telling us it can set its own taxes and everything.

:) I do think the irony will be lost on many though....

@MrsMiaWallis

You can buy other countries wines in France 😆

Probably not English wine though😉. I imagine hell would freeze over before you found that in Leclerc’s.😀

(Though what I’ve had has been rather nice actually)

Chapel Down is delicious

Yes, Chapel Down👍🏻 and there is a vineyard local to me that does a lovely Rosé🍷

We do Yorkshire wine up here.

Camel Valley wines from Cornwall👍👍

Anyone from the UK.

The people most affected in Dover are EU citizens trying to get back to their countries.

IF people are right and Macron did this to show the UK what happens with a no-deal chaos at the Border, then maybe its worked (for both sides)

Sources in Brussels say a FTA is imminent.... i really hope so.

No deal is not the same as an enacted embargo.

@BolloxtoGender

No deal is not the same as an enacted embargo.

Embargo? do you know the meaning of the word?

No one restricted freight, it was people that Macron wanted to stop coming into france.

IF people are right and Macron did this to show the UK what happens with a no-deal chaos at the Border, then maybe its worked (for both sides)

I said from the start he hasn’t done it to show us what a no deal looks like, he has done it because he is out of the loop on negotiations and he is going to have to concede on fishing (as will we) and he will now have to answer to the French fisherman. He quite clearly doesn’t give a stuff about drivers from other EU countries so, I’m still going with the opinion that this is a massive tantrum.

Macron is President of france, he has never before shown he is prone to tantrums.

I have changed my view slightly in that he has probably overreacted, however, i'd rather the UK did that in regard to the new S.African strain, we are just asking people to isolate when they arrive in the UK, allowed to use public transport etc on their way to a hotel or a house where they could well be in contact with others who do not have to isolate... pathetic really.

jasjas I agree he is being cautious, protecting his citizens while sorting things out, out lot couldn't care less.

‘No one restricted freight’

Do I know the meaning of the word embargo?
Do you have no sense of reality? Goods and services just drive themselves here do they?

Bollox
Do you have no sense of reality? Goods and services just drive themselves here do they?
Vehicles coming into the UK were never stopped

nor were unaccompanied trailers going into France.

The cargo was not stopped, the drivers were, and only in one direction.

Macron is President of france, he has never before shown he is prone to tantrums

He has previous Jasjas1973

Lufthansa flies in 80 tonnes of food
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9082527/Huge-queues-form-outside-shops-crowds-pack-supermarkets.html
SIX lorries worth
Just another 4,994 PER DAY to go

ListeningQuietly you posted a link to the Daily Mail😮
Even though it pains me to do it, I'll add a link from the Guardian for anyone of a nervous disposition😉

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/lufthansa-fly-fresh-food-uk-shortage-fears-fruit-vegetables-border-french-blockade

I read all the news sites ;-)
Know your enemy