Trump Condemns Racists. UK Seeks Customs Union After Leaving Customs Union

Practicing being grumpy for old age

President Trump has cut short his holiday to give a Big  press conference. At the event, he finally spoke out against the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis and White Supremacist violence. What he did not do, was take questions, the normal situation in a Press conference. The media are now analysing the consequences of the late statement - and the fact that no questioning occurred (and had not occurred since February apparently).

There has been an airing of a government proposal to be released tomorrow, that the UK could ask Brussels to establish a "temporary customs union" after it leaves the EU in March 2019. This would retain free trade with Europe for a transition period, whilst the UK would seek to initiate trade talks with other countries. It will be interesting to see how the EU negotiating position responds.

I spent the afternoon with an author, giving feedback on their first manuscript draft. A very enjoyable and constructive meeting.