It’s time to make an orderly Brexit from the European Union. After years of talk, the United Kingdom is finally cutting ties with the EU, thanks to a small majority in favor of leaving. While the process may take some time — as nobody has ever formally left the European Union and countries are unsure of exactly how this goes — some seem concerned over what the future holds for the UK. Does this move imply the UK doesn’t want to cooperate with other nations? Will it be more susceptible to war and less so to compliant and easy international trade?
Probably not. The countries that make up the UK have a long history of strong international trade and there’s no reason to think it’ll become more difficult once they’re no longer a part of the EU. Countries trade with other established and reliable nations that have something to offer, which the UK still does. End of story.
This political move doesn’t come as a major surprise to a lot of people. The British have been iffy about membership with the EU for a long time, which was prominent in its decision to forgo accepting the Euro. The UK kept its own currency, the pound, in favor of the Euro, which has turned out to be a wise decision as the Euro has taken a beating in world markets and as negative interest rates are beginning to materialize in the EU. The pound has dropped significantly post-Brexit, but it’s probably only temoporary.
Much like its decision to decline the use of the Euro, the UK’s decision to pull out of the EU is a strong political statement. While the EU is known primarily as a sort of trade support union, it manages and makes policies and laws for member countries, including immigration, which has been prominent in the news lately. With the recent increase in global and European terrorism and the massive spike in incoming refugees to Europe, the UK seems to feel like it’s losing its identity. I’ve spoken to several individuals who grew up in England, and as much as they love and respect their home they claim it isn’t worth going back to because it doesn’t resemble the nation they grew up in. While cultural diversity, accommodation and acceptance are noble pursuits, I can understand how it would be difficult to watch an established nation with such a strong history become unrecognizable. It seems that the UK has finally had enough and is looking to regain control of its country once again. We’ll see how that goes.
Just like political decisions here in the U.S. affect other nations, the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU plays a part in matters here at home. Both President Obama and Hillary Clinton were, and are, in favor of the European Union. Donald Trump, however, doesn’t believe any nation should be making rules for another. Looking at the decisions the UK has made in the past to maintain independence, like maintaining its original currency, Trump and his opinions may have the upper hand on this one.