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They know what they have to do...they just don't want to do it!

UK Civil servants are fully aware of what is needed to get a trade deal out of the Americans.  The problem, is they don't like it.  If you think the deal the UK had while it was in Europe was bad, the deal on the table from the Americans is far worse.  The Americans have a limited sense of humour, they still like the Brits, but at the end of the day, if we continue to dick around they will offer the deal to someone else, France for example.

The UK has a lot to offer, a decent army and navy, good security services, and a foothold in Europe.  All things that Americans want, and generally already have access to via the security agreement.  The UK on the other hand wants a preferential trade agreement with the Americans, and the Americans agree, as long as the treatment is pro-USA.

UK manufacturing is a direct competitor to the US, we operate in the same wage and skills bracket, so that is of limited interest, agriculture which is still highly protected in the UK is something that the US would like to have open, and a deal on the production of certain raw inputs.

In short, the UK will have to give the same kind of deal that the Japanese gave to the Americans.  

Word is that the UK government has made some overture to Germany to "come back home" and that Germans said two things, no and fuck no.  Part of the problem is that Germany has its own issues to resolve, but more importantly, the numbers are not there, to return to the fold, all 29 members have to agree, and many of the bigger players were more than happy when we decamped.  

The only game in town is the Americans, whoever wins the next elections (Hello Labour) will have to make a deal.  60% of all UK energy is from the US.  If the Americans play hardball, we"re screwed.  So far the Ostrich strategy has worked well, if the UK government is not careful it will be too late, and by the time we get our head out of the sand, someone else will have the deal.

But then never underestimate the ability of Whitehall to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory -- it's a long-standing tradition.

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