I don’t see why Brexit has to affect trade relations, even if France or (more likely) the Netherlands votes to exit.
The EU was fine when it was mostly a free-trade association. It could become one again, without the Euro (in mainland Europe) bankrupting Greece, and modification of the free-migration policies more recently put in place.
The “union” would probably work better if it was an “association.” It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, but Brussels bureaucrats have a lot invested in “all.”
Excellent points. Just like a lot of things, a fair enough idea morphed into a monster for the benefit of the bureaucrats, politicians and othe power mongers.
Isn’t it always so? The Euro has not been in place but about 15 years.
The monster spread its tentacles far and wide. Nothing was too small or insignificant not to be touched and regulated. When bureaucrats have jobs they keep finding things to do and expand their jobs.
Time for a new direction. All over the world. Hopefully it will be a better one.