More of a dead cat than a donkey. In a week where the Tories have voted to reduce food and farming standards this story has done its job.

where has that vote happened, link please to the detailed, confirmed, reduction in standards?

https://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/ ... ost-brexit While the standards are not explicitly being reduced, the current high standards are not being upheld either. Strange one really. All those true blue farmers getting one in the eye. Although, let's be honest. The Tories are only interested in the landowners, not the actual tenant farmers. They're not who the donations come from.

https://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/ ... ost-brexit While the standards are not explicitly being reduced, the current high standards are not being upheld either. Strange one really. All those true blue farmers getting one in the eye. Although, let's be honest. The Tories are only interested in the landowners, not the actual tenant farmers. They're not who the donations come from.

I think the lure of a trade deal with the USA out ways all other considerations.

The obvious downside being Trump, chlorinated chicken,growth hormones in cattle/ pigs and GM crops. Are there any advantages for the UK?

I’m sure the US will back down when they see the whites of Johnson’s bleary eyes, just like the EU are going to, and we’ll get everything promised. We may not be as big or powerful as the EU or US, but these knock-kneed foreigner’s will be easily swayed by the vapid mumblings of our gormclops-in-chief. As soon as he starts saying ‘clearly’ followed by something opaque and meaningless, they’ll be putty in his hands. Chuck in the odd ‘ample’ and we’ll be home and dry.

I’m being sarcastic, obviously, but it has worked with voters in this country, so never know!

On a more serious note, why do we think there is a general consensus that the US will take us roughly, but redliners (not sure that works, but brexiteer feels outdated post-Brexit) often believe that the EU will fold. Is it that they don’t believe the EU is ‘real’ in the same way as the US (and I accept there are major differences) or that EU officials English can, in some cases, be slightly stilted and people think that indicates dim-wittedness? Or something else?

Trump has many, many faults but, as a negotiator, he is very, very good.
He shakes his opposite number until their weakness is exposed and then Boom !

When you look at his style with China, N. Korea etc, do you really think there will be any net gain for the UK ?

I think we need a dedicated topic setting up as were going off piste.

None whatsoever.

Other than taking back control, giving the NHS £350 million and no longer answering to unelected aristocrats. Wait a minute.....