[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MAY'S BREXIT DEAL IS BAD FOR BRITAIN AND AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our British allies are making a bad 
deal. The current Brexit deal that Theresa May's government has made 
with the European Union could position the United Kingdom as a de facto 
colony, where it is subject to EU rules but without any vote. 
Essentially this would be worse than Britain staying in the EU. 
Moreover, it could damage the strong economic ties we hold with our 
closest allies, meaning Americans could end feeling the sting of a bad 
Brexit deal.
  When the British people made the choice to depart from the European 
Union in 2016, I applauded their decision. Great Britain--which has 
always stood apart from the continent in its traditions, politics, 
values, and character--has reasserted its sovereignty with the historic 
Brexit referendum. Membership in the EU had come at too large of a cost 
to Britain, and the British people have decided to determine they want 
to chart their own course into the future--not have it determine for 
them by Brussels. Therefore, as a steadfast ally and friend of the 
United Kingdom, America should support their decision.
  The current proposal, however, could come at a cost to our economic 
relationship with Britain. Under Prime Minister May's deal, there will 
be a two-year transition period before the UK can fully separate from 
the EU which beholdens Britain to EU regulations without a vote. During 
that time Britain will be able to negotiate new trade deals but cannot 
implement them until 2021. This means even if the U.S. and UK sign a 
new free trade pact--which we absolutely should--that it will collect 
dust while Britain is left at the EU's mercy. There is a chance that if 
the UK and EU do not agree to a new trade deal that the transition 
period then extends thus further delaying implementation of a new trade 
pact with the U.S. Meanwhile, Britain's economy suffers.
  America needs a strong Britain. The British people have stood by us 
on our most trying days and are often the first to pledge their support 
when we act to confront the world's most complex challenges. There is 
no nation on Earth that is as indispensable to our security and 
prosperity as the United Kingdom. Any arrangement that potentially 
weakens Britain's sovereignty or economic well-being is counter to 
America's interests. For the sake of our alliance, this current Brexit 
bad deal should not go through.
  And that's just the way it is.

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