Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
I don't think that you can compare the UK/EU and Canada/US quite the same though. A lot of Canadians feel as though an economic union with the US is basically a slippery slope into political union (rightly or wrongly), whereas that appears entirely different in Europe. Also comparing NAFTA which is a pure trade agreement to being a member of an economic union is quite different. If NAFTA ended tomorrow Canada and the US would still do business (I guess depending on why it ended, but lets say it was just amicable), and they would do that business with different ground rules regarding trade and tariffs.
The EU/UK would also continue doing business, but the fact is that the UK would still have to meet the EU standards and regulations that they are taking issue with today. It doesn't appear to change any of that?
|
Much of the EU is a political union, as well as an economic union, but I hear you, Canadians think manifest destiny rather than a central government for two nations, such as the EU endeavours to do... but I think the sentiment is still similar enough. I think we would both agree that slippery slope arguments are typically based on emotion, rather than reason.
Part of NAFTA compliance is also standards and regulations (ie: products sold in Canada need to be in English and French), so while not as onerous as the EU regulations, there are similar compromises. You're right though that life would go on if UK leaves the EU or Canada left NAFTA trade wise, albeit differently, but I think many Britons think it can secure a better deal on the outside rather than the inside.
The UK seems to have always maintained a island mentality, compared to "the continent", and I think "manifest destiny" and "no foreign rule since William the Conqueror" congers up similar sentiments against union or the perception of same.