President Trump calls it “Liberation Day” – but what he’s launching is a global trade war. Sweeping US tariffs are provoking retaliatory ones from around the world. Everyone, including Americans, will end up poorer.
Contrast that with the EU’s approach: cooperation, not confrontation. The Single Market offers tariff-free, frictionless trade among its 27 members.
It’s the world’s largest and most successful trading bloc – and it works. So much so that most European countries are either in it, want to join, or are negotiating access to it.
Out of 51 European countries, 44 are either EU members, applicants, or part of the Single Market. That leaves just a few outsiders – including Belarus, Russia… and Britain.
Britain is the only member state ever to leave the EU. But why isolate ourselves when nearly every other European nation is moving closer to the EU, not away from it?
The EU isn’t just attractive to Europeans.
A March 2025 poll by Abacus Data found that 44% of Canadians support exploring EU membership in light of Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats. Only 34% opposed, with 23% unsure.
That’s how appealing the EU’s model of rules-based, values-led cooperation has become.
By contrast, Trump’s “America First” protectionism is not only damaging global trade – it’s also deeply destabilising.
His tariff regime hits allies and adversaries alike, straining supply chains and inflating costs for consumers. Trade wars are lose-lose.
Britain has paid the price for turning its back on the EU.
Since Brexit, UK trade has suffered, investment has faltered, and growth has lagged behind our European peers. Far from taking back control, we’ve lost influence and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, EU members enjoy:
▪ Barrier-free trade
▪ Shared regulations that reduce red tape
▪ Freedom of movement
▪ Stronger security cooperation
▪ Collective clout in global negotiations
This isn’t just economic – it’s strategic. The EU offers peace, prosperity, and a voice in shaping our continent’s future.
Winston Churchill once said: “We cannot aim for anything less than the union of Europe as a whole.” That vision is close to reality. Britain just stepped away from it.
So, the question is clear: do we align with Trump’s isolationist, tariff-driven chaos – or re-join a union that delivers stability, progress, and shared success?
It’s time to liberate ourselves – not through trade wars, but by restoring our place in Europe.
Jon is a journalist, film-maker and campaigner, with many years experience in the world of writing, broadcasting, magazine editing, photography and film making. Currently, he is running a campaign, Reasons2Rejoin, presenting the arguments for Britain to re-join the European Union.
