Brexit Thoughts #2: EU Employment

Employment reached record levels across the Eurozone and the wider European Union during the first part of 2017. Compared with last year, 1.5% more people in the countries using the single currency had jobs. The by-product of the employment figures is that it bodes well for the EU’s economic growth figures. This can only be a good thing in the short term for the UK as they are our biggest trade partner……we benefit from their prosperity.

 

There are two trains of thought on whether this is good for the UK’s Brexit negotiations.

 

On the one hand, some will argue that the EU is not coming from a desperate economic / employment background and there will be confidence in its current position. Some will feel that they don’t need the UK as a consequence……be off with them.

 

On the other hand, others will argue that their improving economic outlook is because the UK is part of the EU currently. As the EU’s biggest trade partner, barriers to trade with the UK as a consequence of Brexit will only have a negative impact on economic growth.

 

So, is the EU glass half full or half empty?

 

We shall see.