The US deal is only happening because Brexit made it necessary. The US deal looks more like damage limitation in the face of his damaging and illogical tariff war on the rest of the world. However, it’s positive as far as it goes and we wait to see if a deal on pharma can also be agreed. The trade deal with India will bring some benefits (the Scottish whisky industry is delighted!) but probably only in the longer term. There’s been some predictable angst over the partial NI holiday for Indian workers relocating here but it is a reciprocal arrangement that is a feature of many trade deals. The really big potential as far as trade deals go is with the EU. The government has, in my view, been far too timid in terms of ambition but the prize is a genuine and comprehensive free trade deal with the biggest single market in the world, just 20 miles away. Ask any small or medium sized exporter how they feel about “Brexit benefits”.
Jonathan Callaway ● 82d