Taking back control

Brexit was all about taking back control, of course.

Or so they said.

Only the reality is going to be a little different.

Today the US made it clear if the UK and other countries, did not drop their plans for an IT tax on US companies in April, it would introduce tariffs on cars from those countries.

It seems likely that the UK will drop plans for the tax, as engaging in a tax and tariff war just when you are trying to negotiate a trade deal with the same company is not a good look. But then this shows the reality of not being in the EU, being very much alone and capitulating to bigger countries as you have no leverage.

Or how about the US unhappy that the UK intends to carry out parallel negotiations with the EU and US on trade. The US thinks their negotiations should be first, so the EU is left with the scraps, or more probable that primary alignment should be with the US.

Either way none of this looks or feels like taking back control.

Thing is, make believe constraints means that once out of the EU, freedom is make believe too.