As the UK struggles to carve out a post-Brexit role, the Huawei affair has left it exposed, caught between two superpowers who have no respect for an isolated, vulnerable island
Life after divorce can be difficult. Having cut ties with the EU, its partner of 47 years, Britain’s new-minted relationship with China is in deep water. Tapping into Beijing’s enormous economic power is vital to Brexit’s success. But the relationship has soured. The spark has gone. The relatives don’t approve.
Harsh words are flying. Boris Johnson is accused of two-timing China by succumbing to American pressure to break it off and backing Donald Trump’s electorally driven “new cold war”. Johnson would surely rather have it both ways. But he knows a show of defiance could wreck his other Brexit passion: a spanking new trade deal with the US.
Continue reading…As the UK struggles to carve out a post-Brexit role, the Huawei affair has left it exposed, caught between two superpowers who have no respect for an isolated, vulnerable islandLife after divorce can be difficult. Having cut ties with the EU, its partner of 47 years, Britain’s new-minted relationship with China is in deep water. Tapping into Beijing’s enormous economic power is vital to Brexit’s success. But the relationship has soured. The spark has gone. The relatives don’t approve.Harsh words are flying. Boris Johnson is accused of two-timing China by succumbing to American pressure to break it off and backing Donald Trump’s electorally driven “new cold war”. Johnson would surely rather have it both ways. But he knows a show of defiance could wreck his other Brexit passion: a spanking new trade deal with the US. Continue reading…