Not much in there for Samoa

Dear Editor,

Re: Brexit: What does it mean for Samoa?

Samoa has more bilateral connections and more economic potential with the EU than with Britain - especially when it comes to the difficult but historically lucrative kava trade into the EU. 

Samoa still has a visa-free agreement with the EU (but it never included the UK), so Samoan citizens can still travel to the EU and remain there without a visa for up to a month. 

The British have no real interest in the Pacific other than the usual Commonwealth pleasantries.

There is no way they will offer easier visa entry agreement for Samoan citizens, even though that would benefit our many rugby players playing within the UK.

Their number one foreign policy goal in light of Brexit is to get a reasonable exit deal with the EU and then get a free trade deal with the United States and China.

They are likely to view the Pacific as New Zealand and Australia’s sphere of influence within the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth is a dead horse. 

It is only good for the Commonwealth Games every four years. It does not provide any economic benefit to its members. The best thing Britain could do is open negotiations for a free trade deal with commonwealth countries, including Samoa. 

However, that is unlikely to happen in our lifetimes.

 

PS Jeffrey 


Samoa Observer

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