‘Trade relations will remain unchanged’ post-Brexit, claims Lord Lawson. Hardly

Some pro-Brexit campaigners claim the UK could continue to trade as heretofore if we left the EU, because World Trade Organisation rules would apply. Markus W Gehring argues that this is not so. There is no principle of freedom of trade in international law. Furthermore, the EU could make negotiating post-Brexit trade agreements very difficult, if it chose to – and and countries with which the EU already has (or is about to have) free trade agreements may have no strong incentive to buy and sell to the UK on different terms.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Brexit and EU-UK trade relations with third states http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-and-eu-uk-trade-relations-with-third-states/

CAPX, 03.05.16: After Brexit we will negotiate a winning 'British option' free trade deal with the EU http://capx.co/after-brexit-we-will-negotiate-a-winning-british-option-free-trade-deal-with-the-eu/

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