New research finds that Maine would be one of the hardest-hit states if the European Union takes retaliatory measures in response to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. A report by the Brookings Institution shows that 9.5 percent of Maine’s exports to Europe would likely be slapped with retaliatory tariffs if the Trump administration […]
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Italy’s future unsettled as economy falters
WASHINGTON — Italy may be the next stop on the world’s journey to more economic nationalism. First we had Brexit — Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Then we had the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president, pledging to put “America first” in his policies. Now Italy may be treading down […]
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The stirring of a butterfly’s wings brings major change
What shall we call the butterfly? The butterfly I have in mind is the one that illustrates chaos theory: It flutters its diaphanous wings, stirring the slightest breeze, which connects with others until, thousands of miles away, it forms the essential ingredient for a hurricane. Can we call this butterfly Brexit? I mean, why not? […]
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Britain’s declaration of independence
The British separation from the European Union of June 23, 2016, doesn’t precisely replicate the American Declaration of Independence from the British empire on July 4, 1776. However, Britain’s 21st-century rebels and their 18th-century American cousins share several provocative and encouraging traits, which Americans should laud this coming July Fourth. Let’s deal with the numbers […]
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Consequences of Brexit difficult to predict
WASHINGTON — On June 1, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development issued its latest economic forecasts. In 2016, it predicted that the world economy would grow 3 percent, the United Kingdom 1.7 percent and the euro area (the 19 countries using the euro) 1.6 percent. We don’t know how these figures will now be […]
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Britons want to take back their country
Maybe it was those college courses on the history of Europe that soured me on the idea of a united continent. How could a conglomeration of nation states noted for invading each other, pillaging and warring against each other form a union? How could a continent with different languages, cultures and money become a united […]
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British favor leaving European Union
WASHINGTON — Brexit is winning — that is, Britain’s exit from the European Union. As the June 23 referendum approaches, public opinion has swung toward “Leave” the EU as opposed to “Remain” in the EU. This has fueled anxieties about the global economy and the fate of Europe. Brexit could compound economic pessimism, leading to […]