US Vice-President JD Vance’s love-bombing of the UK comes as the EU scrambles to lock Britain back in Brussels’ orbit. Even more champagne corks than usual will pop in Brussels if eurocrats persuade Sir Keir Starmer to sign-up to common meat and dairy standards, fishing rights for EU vessels in British waters and the oversight of the European Court of Justice.
Such a deal will fuel the hopes of Europhiles that it is only a matter of time before the UK formally rejoins the bloc.
Veteran Brexiteers who are outraged at reports that British officials are open to “regulatory alignment” with the EU on fresh meat and dairy products will be incandescent if a new link-up thwarts a trade deal with the US.
A UK-EU defence deal may well be unveiled at a summit on May 19 and negotiations on food checks are expected to accelerate after that.
It is no coincidence that Mr Vance – who has close friends in the UK – has intervened to talk up the likelihood of a transatlantic trade agreement.
Not only does President Trump love the King and this nation, he said, “fundamentally America is an Anglo country”. There is a “good chance” the two nations will come to a “great agreement”.
This will hearten Brexiteers who cherish the special relationship with the US and are dismayed at the possibility of the UK once again following EU regulations. The idea that Britain could once again be policed in some form by the EU court is anathema.
There is the famous scene in the third Godfather film when Al Pacino exclaims: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
Brexiteers across Britain will think: “I know just how he feels.”
There is no prospect of another Brexit referendum but decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of the UK. Does Britain exploit every competitive advantage unlocked by leaving the EU or – against a daunting backdrop of international turmoil – does it forge the closest possible relationship with the remaining member states?
Mr Vance insists the Trump administration is “working very hard with Keir Starmer’s Government”. But canny EU strategists will do everything they can to further the bloc’s interests and keep the UK dancing to tunes composed in Brussels.