Joe said:
The devil's bargain being forced on Germany in particular by the Anglo-American elite then is this: 'open up' the European block and its vast human and financial resources to Anglo-American capitalism of an even more predatory nature (one example being the US-proposed TTIP, which was recently rejected by French PM Manuel Valls), and stay away from Russia, or the UK will leave the 'union', thereby dealing a serious blow to the integrity of the EU project. It's a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' kind of proposition that has been the hall-mark of Anglo-American political maneuvering for decades.
Anglo-American political maneuvering is a good description ....
The United States will contribute to the efforts by the United Kingdom and the European Union to manage the Brexit transition, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
US to ‘Play Role’ in Helping EU, UK Navigate Brexit Transition - DoS
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160629/1042180748/us-help-brexit.html
The Brexit decision caused economic turbulence in Britain's economy, the drop of the UK stock indices and devaluation of the pound sterling, which all together sent global financial markets into frenzy.
“These are decisions most and foremost for the United Kingdom and the EU to make working together, but because both the United Kingdom and the EU as an institution, and the countries that make it up look to us, engage with us, work with us every single day, we will play a role, I think, in helping them to navigate this transition,” Blinken stated.
The United States, Canada and Mexico agreed to establish the North American Caucus.
Obama Announces Formation of North American Caucus
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160629/1042192896/north-american-caucus-formation.html
"We are creating what we call the North American Caucus, which means our three governments will meet on a more regular basis… and in short, we are going to do more to speak with one united North American voice on the world stage," Obama said during a press conference at the north American Leaders’ Summit in Ottawa, Canada.
Earlier on Wednesday, the White House reported that the new caucus will hold semi-annual ministerial level meetings to address regional and global issues.
Obama said that the economic teams of the United States, Canada and Mexico will work together on supporting financial stability worldwide after UK decision to leave the European Union.
Obama: Economic Teams to Ensure Global Financial System Stable Amid Brexit
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160629/1042192488/north-america-brexit-financial-stability.html
"Given the vote of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, our economic teams are going to continue to work together so that we remain focused on keeping our economies growing and making sure that the global financial system is stable," Obama stated.
“With respect to Brexit… the global economy, in the short run, will hold steady,” Obama noted.
Obama added that the United States is concerned that the United Kingdom leaving the European Union and the likely disruptions within the bloc will make it more difficult to resolve other important matters.
"Our relationship with the UK fundamentally does not change," Obama stated. "We are concerned that their absence from the European Union and the potential disruptions within Europe make it harder for us to solve some other challenges that have to be solved."
The press service of the European Commission said that the 14th round of talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement is scheduled to take place in Brussels on July 11-15.
Brussels to Host 14th Round of TTIP Talks on July 11-15
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160629/1042193245/ttip-brussels-talks-july.html
"The talks will help pave the way for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, between the EU and the US. Negotiators will discuss all three main parts of the agreement, namely market access, regulatory cooperation, and rules," the press service said.
The last round of TTIP negotiations was held in April 2016 in New York City. During the 12th round of talks negotiators made progress in regulatory cooperation and good regulatory practices.
The TTIP free trade agreement, which has been negotiated since 2013, involves the creation of a free trade zone between the European Union and the United States. Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland are also due to participate in the TTIP deal.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has cast more doubt on the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), saying the proposed trade deal did not "respect EU interests."
French PM Valls Slams TTIP: 'Deal Doesn't Respect EU Interests'
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160627/1042005239/france--ttip-eu-interests.html
Speaking to members of his governing Socialist party, Valls said that French officials would not be bullied into agreeing to such a deal with the US and other EU member states.
"No free trade agreement should be concluded if it does not respect EU interests. Europe should be firm," he said, adding: "France will be vigilant about this.
"I can tell you frankly, there cannot be a transatlantic treaty agreement. This agreement is not on track."
The criticism follows similar concerns raised by French President Francois Hollande, while there have been ongoing grassroots and trade union demonstrations and protests against the proposed trade deal.
Valls said TTIP in its current form "would impose a viewpoint which would not only be a breeding ground for populism, but also quite simply be a viewpoint that would be bad for our economy."
TTIP aims to slash trade barriers and open up the world's biggest free trade zone between the US and EU.
While proponents say it will lead to an increase in trade and boost the economies of member states, critics argue that TTIP will merely transfer more power in to the hands of big business, with concerns over workers' rights and environmental controls.
There has been mounting criticism of the trade deal in recent times, with government officials in France and Germany raising reservations about the agreement.
Meanwhile, the UK's decision to vote in favor of leaving the EU is another factor that many believe could see TTIP scrapped altogether.
In an opinion piece, John Hilary, executive director of campaigning group War on Want, wrote:
"Brexit may well be the last straw that broke the TTIP camel's back," while the decision was a "rejection of the EU, TTIP and the political caste."
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has argued that there is “opportunity’ for Europe in the wake of Britain’s exit from the European Union, and feels the US has an important part to play in the continent’s future.
Kissinger Says Brexit ‘Turmoil’ Should Be Viewed As an ‘Opportunity’
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160629/1042190761/kissinger-says-brexit-is-opportunity.html
In a recent statement, Kissinger called the Brexit decision "a classic illustration of the law of unintended consequences." Acknowledging the high emotions surrounding the vote, he spoke of its international importance.
"The impact of the British vote is so profound because the emotions it reflects are not confined to Britain or even Europe," he said. "The popular reaction to European Union institutions (as reflected in public-opinion polls) is comparable in most major countries, especially France and Spain."
He argues that the vote reflects opinion in Britain and that frustration over the exit shouldn’t cloud critical analysis of its implications.
"However challenging this expression of popular sentiment, ignoring the concerns it manifests is a path to greater disillusionment."
He noted that there was fierce debate in Britain across the political spectrum, and said the exit was somewhat unforeseen, even by some of its supporters.
"Many backers of the Leave campaign were surprised by their success, having understood their political mission initially in much less sweeping terms," he said.
"All these elements have been overwhelmed because the European vision elaborated over decades has been developing a sclerotic character. Internal debates of Europe have increasingly concentrated on structural contradictions. In the process, the vision that motivates sacrifice is weakening."
He explained that the historic vote demonstrates how the concerns of Europe have grown increasingly myopic in the years since the Marshall Plan.
"It was, on one level, a rejection of the worst consequences of European divisions, especially the traumatic wars that had killed tens of millions of Europeans in the 20th century alone. But it was also an affirmation of the values by which Europe had become great," he said.
"Too much of the Europe of today is absorbed in management of structural problems rather than the elaboration of its purposes. From globalization to migration, the willingness to sacrifice is weakening. But a better future cannot be reached without some sacrifice of the present. A society reluctant to accept this variety stagnates and, over the decades, consumes its substance."
Kissinger remains optimistic about the future. Advising Europe to maintain good relations with Britain, he ultimately thinks there’s potential for Britain to return to the EU in the future.
"Many of us who have grown up with and admired the vision of European unity hope that the EU will transcend itself, by seeking its vocation not in penalizing the recalcitrant but by negotiating in a manner that restores the prospects of unity."
"The EU should not treat Britain as an escapee from prison but as a potential compatriot."
