I’m betting Boris asked Abe through a back channel to play hardball so this long overdue Brexit could get done. 28 years of my career were spent working for Japanese companies and I understand these “behind the scenes” games well.
It’s time for POTUS to weigh in and support Boris and BREXIT with our common trading partners....if he hasn’t already.
Ten bucks says that the balance of trade between Japan and Britain is strongly in Japan’s favor as it is.And yet they want more.
Japan has no choice. It’s deal with the EU includes restrictions on how a deal between the U.K. and Japan can be shaped without contravening rules Japan agreed to with the EU.
EU protectionist rules on hundreds of items extend to trade deals Japan may make with others - Japan must restrict others in many ways that the EU rules restrict Japan.