Opinion: UK – Why be apart of Europe (EU) when the water is bluer in the Pacific (CPTPP)?

The United Kingdom is really a special breed and the Tories leadership is something else. After all the years of tussling and muffling the transition and the negotiations with the European Union (EU). Which be recent reports will be a steady affair for 50 years. The government of United Kingdom (UK) have now opted for a new “union” or Free-Trade Agreement.

The UK had the most beneficial and biggest trade deal with the common market in the European Union with all of its member states and EEA. However, that has been dismissed, as they have the new Withdrawal Agreement and non-membership, which was so important for the Tories to set in action. They wanted to get out so they could have their own agreements, deals and not be bound by Brussels. However, the ending of common market with the EU have caused its trouble. There are problems with logistics, forms and declarations of produce/products across from Europe to the United Kingdom. Still, in the midst of that.

The Tories have a new idea. The Tories are joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Where the negotiations are starting this year to be a part of the Free Trade Agreement between 11 nations. These are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Clearly, the UK ditched the simple trading across the bay. Instead of getting things to the Low Countries, France and Italy. Heck even Germany, Polen and the Czech Republic. Why not try to send Yorkshire tea easier to the Kingdom of Brunei?

By all means, any trade deal is a good deal for a nation. However, every nation and every kingdom tends to trade most with their neighbours. That is a historical fact for most nations. They tend to have most common with the nations right beside it. Surely, it is should be easier to sell something from London to Dublin. Instead in this case it will be easier sell something from Bristol to Auckland and that is insane. But, that is the Tories in a nutshell.

It is nuts and bonkers that the ones screaming to leave one thing is signing up this quickly. That they are moving over to another project that easily. Yes, there might be less stings attached, but on the other hand. The UK had a good hand, but they spoilt it by leaving. The Tories and the UK could have had more influence and used their buying power in the Union, but instead they couldn’t care less.

Now, they rather go on the deep dive in the pacific. Instead of just across the British channel. That is just weird. That say it all about the leadership in Downing Street and at Whitehall. That they have these ideas and think it can ease the pain. Yes, they will get sales and get trading going on in the pacific. However, how will that be substantial in comparison to what you used to have with the European Union?

It is not like these sort of arrangements and logistically is easily accessible. The CPTPP will be a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but at what cost?

The EU have by comparison 43% of the World Trade. While the CPTPP have 14% of it. Yes, it is a substantial part of the world trade in the CPTPP. Nevertheless, the UK haven’t shot the silver bullet here. It is like they just trying to patch the hurt and make it sound splendid. Even though deep down… they know they lost out of chance of a lifetime and they are afraid of turning back.

That is why the deep blue sea of the Pacific seems so refreshing compared to crossing over the familiar channel from Folkestone to Calais. Peace.

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Opinion: Biden have a pitiless job ahead

Yesterday on the 20th January 2021 the inauguration of Joe Biden happened. President Biden has a mountain to climb ahead. That’s not his fault, but his predecessor who was inept and incompetent at his job. Biden has more issues to fix, than what he had as the Vice-President during the first Obama Term.

Now, there is not only the humongous need for swift intervention and planning to stagnate a crisis with the COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. Which the previous administration downplayed and didn’t really stomach. They only let people die and didn’t properly intervene. Trump Administration and their COVID-19 Taskforce was a useless entity. Only to booster business and enterprises in favour of the government. It wasn’t made to stop the spread of the virus or actually make a difference. That is why the spread is so massive, the amounts of death is spiralling out and by the time Biden became President. The numbers of deceased in the Republic because of it was the amount of 400,000 citizens. That all happened because of the inept Trump administration.

Yes, the commentators will now blame all of these on Biden. Biden will be thrown into hot fire and be burned. The test is if the White House can defend what they do and how they are fixing it. They need to address it properly and let science do its work. As the previous bastard-in-chief didn’t care and thought pseudo-science and conspiracy theories could heal the wounds. Alas, it is never like that.

Other, than that… Biden has to fix the economy. Work on the growing deficits and the negative rates hitting the financial institutions. As yet another Democrat have to clear the air after a Republican botches a working economy. Where the safeguards and financial integrity have been traded on quick-get-rich schemes and less oversight. That has been key things done in the Trump years. Also, the tax-cuts and enriching the elites, while the state has cut on the basics and support system for the poorest. Social security and Medicaid for all have been hit hard, but big-men in business have priority citizens.

Biden has to also work in a very split society. Created with amplified visions of the Republicans. Who rather see the Republic burning than listening to any sort of facts. The President have to look into, investigate and prioritize criminal proceedings not only into the insurrection of the Capitol. The President has to also investigate fellow Congress members and Senators who was in on it. Not to forget the need to look into Right Wing Extremists and militias who has thrived during the Trump Presidency. These has been shielded and the authorities have given them a silent “pass”. Now, it is time to do something about it.

Biden has a lot of work ahead. Not only write Executive Orders. Even though he got revoke certain aspects. He got to go head-on. Show that he is different than Trump, but also show integrity and accountability. Just as the most corrupt and incompetent administration has left the White House. The rampant nepotism and lack of protocol have to be investigated. All the breaches of codes by the former administration. There was so many who broke the Hatch Act and other codes while in office. The Trump Administration needs to be investigated in the Foreign Emoluments Clause and if their associates did violate this in their tenure. That only makes sense now. It will hurt the Republican party, but they need to be accountable and take responsible for their actions.

Joe Biden has so many hurdles. Not only does his Secretary of State have to prove that the United States cares, but also have some plans for their policies. As in the past one, these could be bought and fixed by simple gestures to the Man on the Throne. That has to change now. Especially, if the US is back to normalcy. We know that will take time, as the Trump administration ensured the Biden administration starts with no ready vetted cabinet members or appointments. Just to show their vicious, loser mentality and how they don’t care about stability.

The Biden administration have only hard work ahead and a lot of dirt to clean out. Biden better handle with not only caution, but with finesse. As there will be no easy way out and the only way is face the harsh realities. This is an unforgiving role and a place very few wants to go. He has to fix and clean a mess. A shambles of a government and make people trust it again.

Trump proved he could break a system. Trump proved the ills of society. Now, Biden needs to heal and fix the system. That will hurt, be painful and be a process. It will not happen over night, but is a needed task. Especially, if the world is supposed to trust the US and its values. Because, those are in the bin and someone has to rehash it.

That is Biden right now. That isn’t a fun journey. Neither is it reality TV or a fun segment on SNL. No, its dedication and honouring principals. What Biden should know and see is that those principals and codes are worthless to the Republicans. That is why he has to shook them and get them into submission. Just like they do to Democrats when they are in power. Since, the Bi-Partisanship only matters to Democrats, but not to Republicans in power. That is why Biden has to seal the deals and be fierce at some point. Not only humble and show humility. He needs to be strong and be resilient.

As all the ills of the previous administration will be put on him. Even if it isn’t true. However, that is how unforgiving his task is. To takeover after a train-wreck of an administration must be restless. The Biden administration needs to revitalize and rejuvenate departments, which has been weaponized by the previous ones. That will not be easy, but a needed task. Unless, the President will have civil servants and other appointments working against him. Peace.

Brexit: Rees-Mogg’s Red Herring

Key thing is we’ve got our fish back. They’re now British fish and they’re better and happier fish for it”Jacob Rees-Mogg MP (14.01.2021)

Today in Parliament, the Tories and especially Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg got on the defensive. As the Tories and the whole United Kingdom is starting to feel the effects of leaving the European Union (EU) and the hurdles the new Withdrawal Agreement puts in place. All these significant hurdles are passed onto the consumer and the exporters. The ones that was promised less red-tape and more “control”. Alas, that was all a lie from the Brexiteers, as they call it fear-mongering.

However, in the month of January, only mere weeks into the Brexit finalization and becoming a third country. The businesses, the fisheries and other companies are feeling the “new normal”. Already on the 7th January 2021 Seafood Scotland came out with a statement saying: “Scottish seafood exporters hit by a ‘perfect storm’. Where they explained it further: “It problems in France meant consignments were diverted from Boulogne sur Mer to Dunkirk, which was unprepared as it wasn’t supposed to be at export frontline”. The organization continues to say: “In a very short time we could see the destruction of a centuries old market which contributes significantly to the Scottish economy”.

So, just by wording a few sentences from Seafood Scotland. The fish doesn’t seem more happy by becoming pure “British”. I am sure that the Tories is having a “Finding Nemo” moment. As the lies and deception isn’t helping the fishing industry nor their new trouble to get seafood exported. The government wasn’t prepared for the new form of export and neither the possible cost. Therefore, the British seafood either got dumped or destroyed before it got to the European markets.

The Tories and Rees-Mogg can act a fool. However, he should stop the red herring. He knows perfectly well that the government released nearly right before the Agreement went into play on the 1st January 2021. They released new guidelines and proved how businesses could operate with examples on the 31st December 2020. So, it was not like the Seafood Industry was prepared and neither was the state.

Yes, you have gotten the fish back, but what value does it add if it ends up in the bin and not somebody’s table? That is waste and destruction of good wholesome produce, which is destroyed by some red-tape, which this government through agreements have made. Therefore, Brexit is causing more harm and more troubles then the industry could foresee. They we’re not warned in time and neither did the Tories give additional training to its border officers to secure every consignment.

That is why the statement of Rees-Mogg shows his arrogance, as he will not take responsibility for the damage caused. He wants to put a British Flag on the Fish, but he will not make sure it becomes Fish and Chips. No, he wants fish dead out of whatever and sing the national anthem to it. That is foolish and so is his pride. Instead, of taking accountability and finding measures. He wants patriotism to save the fish. That is really ridiculous and shows that his a proper hob-nob.

The Tories didn’t care about the fisheries or the fishing industry. They just used them as tool for their ends. That is why it’s not biting now and the fishermen isn’t catching a break. No, they are catching their fish and preparing it for shipment, but the government isn’t giving them the tools to secure the vessel to next port. No, they either blocking it or standing them at sea with nowhere to go. That is the sick reality here.

Maybe, the Scots to package the fish in the Union Jack and send the rotting fish directly to Rees-Mogg office. So, he could taste and smell his own medicine. The side-product of his politicking together with fellow Brexiteers. As his not personally hit by this, but him and others created the ‘Perfect Storm’. Therefore, he as one of the responsible for it. That he should taste some of the “British Fish” who got lost in red-tape and is now ready for a landfill. Peace.

Brexit: Scottish seafood exporters hit by ‘perfect storm’ of Brexit disruption (07.01.2021)

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UN Expert Report says that DRC gold smuggling increased during COVID-19 lockdown to Burundi and Rwanda…

Yet again there are exploits of conflicts and the resources. The latest UN Group of Experts Report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) establishes this fact. This isn’t a shocking revelation, as this has persisted for so long. The illicit and trade of minerals in the DRC to the neighbours have been going on for years. Where the militias and other “rebel” outfits have exploited the porous borders.

What was striking was a few of the sentences and that this of business continues. That the ones enriching themselves continues in haste. Producing, exporting and trading illicit gold. This is being exploited and extracted in the DRC. Later illegally exported to Burundi and Rwanda. We know this also happens to Uganda in the report. However, they have not stated the scale there. As we know the Gold Refinery in Entebbe for illegal gold exports.

Here is excerpts from the Report:

Three mining authorities confirmed that cross-border gold smuggling between South Kivu (see S/2020/482, annex 45) and Burundi and Rwanda had increased during the COVID-19 lockdown. Two authorities explained that this was because, while gold production continued, border closures reduced the value of dollars hand-carried into the Democratic Republic of the Congo for illicit gold transactions. According to official mining data, 30.6 kg of gold were officially exported from South Kivu between January and October 2020, while official gold production was 7.1557 kg between January and September 2020 according to mining authority data” (United Nations Experts Report December 2020, P: 19, 2020).

The Group noted that, as was also the case in 2019 (see S/2020/482, annex 16), as of October 2020 official recorded gold production for South Kivu was far lower than the volume of gold exported. Total gold production as of September 2020 was 7155.7 grams, while exports were 30.6 kilograms for the year up to October 2020. Following the COVID-19 border closures, only two gold trading comptoirs – Etablissement Namukaya and Etablissement ML – exported gold in the second half of 2020 until the time of drafting this report. Bukavu-based gold trading house Mines Propres SARL suspended its operations in South Kivu as of February 2020, but confirmed to the Group that construction of Congo Gold Raffinerie (see S/2020/482, annex 25) continued in its place (Karim Somji, an associate of Congo Gold Raffinerie also owns Mines Propres SARL” (United Nations Experts Report December 2020, P: 186, 2020).

This here story isn’t a new, but it shows a pattern. Where there is more production than recorded. More gold produced than what is initially registered. This here is proof of the illicit trade, as the records itself states.

The Est. Namukaya is even mentioned an export to Kampala to Muzira Bravia Ltd. A company the UN Group of Experts couldn’t find in a registry. Therefore, that is easy an front and not the true company who imported this gold. That could easily be another concealment.

However, all this here just shows that its big business to trade gold illegally and illicit trade of conflict minerals. Where the DRC is not getting reported wealth out of their resources. While the militias and others are profiting on the mines. That is reality of this. Peace.

Brexit: UK as a Third County have a new customs regime [and it has consequences for trading too]

The United Kingdom government unleashed the case studies for Border Operating Model for Controlled Goods. Meaning all sort of goods that is going from one trading block to another one. One type of goods going from one customs union to another. Now that from today… the United Kingdom is separated from the European Union. There is whole new levels of red-tape.

The leaflet called ‘ The GB/EU Border – Case Studies – The Border with the European Union’ made by the Border and Protocol Delivery Group. This came out yesterday on the 31st December 2020 and would be valid from 1st January 2021. The government little to no time to prepare the various of industries, exporters or importers of the new factors. Neither party could be prepared for this. As companies on both sides of the Channel couldn’t be prepared for all of this.

Either industry will have their needed paperwork. As the ones importing/exporting have to ensure that the hauliers, exporter and importer are all working together to secure the whole process.

The main deal now is that the ones doing these sort of businesses are:

GB EORI number

EU EORI number (if you are conducting any EU customs processes)

Customs declarations for both imports and exports

UK and EU safety and security declarations

Rules of Origin (the FTA confirms that no tariffs or quotas will apply on goods that qualify)

Sanitary and phytosanitary controls

International convention requirements – such as those under the Common Transit Convention (CTC)

If that sounds easy… it is not. The new system is very hectic and a new bureaucracy to follow. The ones moving goods and transporting it. They have a new world to live and abide by. The expenses of this additional steps will be put on the consumer and the citizens themselves. There will also be less trading between the parties. As the ones who can avoid these steps and trade within the European Union will do so as well. While the ones who has too. Got to sweeten the deals to become viable. Especially trading from the UK into EU. The ones from EU to UK will be more pricey, as the hauliers and importers needs bigger margins to cover the costs of importing.

For instance before the Whiskey has left Scotland and gotten to Brussels it got 12 steps to get there. Where all the various of entities along the way needs the right paperwork to get processed to be allowed to enter and do the initial trade of the whiskey itself. Not only does the EU importer needs to have the right documentation and secure the right paperwork. So does the trader within the UK. These both needs to certify and secure the documentation. So, that the transporter and freight Company is secured. Also ensure that process is righteous before a carrier oversees the discharge from the UK market into the EU. This is an transaction where both ports of entry have to be signed off. That means the port of departure and entry needs to verified before importer of Scotch Whiskey can get its order in Brussels. This here will make it more costly and a hassle to import it.

If the Brexiteers and the ones supporting the enterprise promised less red-tape. This whole case study leaflet proves them otherwise. Every single industry and exporters has much more hassle and paperwork to fix. The same the ones importing from Europe. This will all be stressing and cause delay of goods transferred between the parties in question.

It is just a matter of time before the Brexiteers feels this. Especially, the ones who promised seemingly no consequences what so ever for leaving the EU. Peace.