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Berthold Busch IW-Analyse No. 137 28. July 2020 The British Go it Alone in Europe

On 31 January 2020 the United Kingdom formally separated from the European Union. Having abandoned its role as an outsider in (western) European integration to join the then European Economic Community (EEC) in the early 1970s, the country proved to be a difficult member that was ultimately no longer prepared to support the further deepening of European integration.

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The British Go it Alone in Europe
Berthold Busch IW-Analyse No. 137 28. July 2020

The British Go it Alone in Europe

IW-Analyse

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

On 31 January 2020 the United Kingdom formally separated from the European Union. Having abandoned its role as an outsider in (western) European integration to join the then European Economic Community (EEC) in the early 1970s, the country proved to be a difficult member that was ultimately no longer prepared to support the further deepening of European integration.

However, it is worth remembering that the United Kingdom was a forceful advocate of liberalising economic relations in the internal market and enlarging the European Union. Following their departure, the British are now free to negotiate trade agreements with the rest of the world, which they see as a promising route to economic prosperity. Indeed, even before Brexit, British foreign trade was moving away from the EU and towards third countries. Yet continental Europe is still the island nation’s most important trading partner and both sides must therefore seek a meaningful framework for future economic cooperation. The manuscript of this Analysis was completed in early March 2020.

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The British Go it Alone in Europe
Berthold Busch IW-Analyse No. 137 28. July 2020

Berthold Busch: Der britische Sonderweg in Europa

IW-Analyse

German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

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Institutional consequences of EU Enlargement
Berthold Busch / Julian Sommer / Samina Sultan IW-Report No. 15 12. March 2024

Institutional consequences of EU Enlargement

At the latest since the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the decision to open accession talks with the country, the topic of enlargement has once again become much more important for the European Union (EU).

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Berthold Busch / Samina Sultan IW-Report No. 63 11. December 2023

Fiscal aspects of an EU-enlargement

Following the European Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the European Council will decide on this at its summit in December. This is a historic step that is of great geostrategic importance, particularly in light of the ...

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