Do you think any good will come from the 10% V 20% EU tariffs? Makes us look more attractive to neutrals.
Depends how we do with the US trade negotiations but potentially yes. We have a competitive trade advantage in comparison so America may prefer to import from us, particularly pharmaceuticals. There may be greater investment into the UK as well for businesses wanting to maintain access to the US market without the higher costs of being in the EU. Always an opportunity in a crisis.
We can afford to butter up the Trump administration to some degree but will have to carve out some deals when it comes to automobile manufacturing etc. It will probably prove to be a net negative for us but not something we cannot manage.
We can sit back and enjoy the fireworks for now.
Vam said
Apr 9 11:32 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I can't see the close relationship we have had for decades with the US being healed in the next 4 years...their government simply can't be trusted. Starmer and Co will have to be as devious as they are, and at the same time build bridges with the EU again. Barksdale, I agree with most of your posts, and you express yourself so well.
It’s been great having him here. He’s one of the very few people I’ve really missed posting around.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
Syl said
Apr 9 11:49 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I can't see the close relationship we have had for decades with the US being healed in the next 4 years...their government simply can't be trusted. Starmer and Co will have to be as devious as they are, and at the same time build bridges with the EU again. Barksdale, I agree with most of your posts, and you express yourself so well.
It’s been great having him here. He’s one of the very few people I’ve really missed posting around.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
He may correct me if I am wrong, But I don't think I have ever posted alongside Barksdale before, he is a great poster.
Mind you, God knows how, but I didn't even remember posting with Maddog on Dogs....I certainly won't ever forget him again.
Vam said
Apr 9 11:57 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I can't see the close relationship we have had for decades with the US being healed in the next 4 years...their government simply can't be trusted. Starmer and Co will have to be as devious as they are, and at the same time build bridges with the EU again. Barksdale, I agree with most of your posts, and you express yourself so well.
It’s been great having him here. He’s one of the very few people I’ve really missed posting around.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
He may correct me if I am wrong, But I don't think I have ever posted alongside Barksdale before, he is a great poster.
Mind you, God knows how, but I didn't even remember posting with Maddog on Dogs....I certainly won't ever forget him again.
🤣🤣🤣 As if he’d ever let you forget him!
Gotta love the vitality though, even when he drives me batshit crazy!
Maddog said
Apr 9 2:56 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I can't see the close relationship we have had for decades with the US being healed in the next 4 years...their government simply can't be trusted. Starmer and Co will have to be as devious as they are, and at the same time build bridges with the EU again. Barksdale, I agree with most of your posts, and you express yourself so well.
It’s been great having him here. He’s one of the very few people I’ve really missed posting around.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
He may correct me if I am wrong, But I don't think I have ever posted alongside Barksdale before, he is a great poster.
Mind you, God knows how, but I didn't even remember posting with Maddog on Dogs....I certainly won't ever forget him again.
I stayed in the news section with the more erudite posters like Barksdale, while you did the tango with Stoo in the crazy section..😉
Anonymous said
Apr 9 3:15 PM, 2025
It is nice to see Barksdale posting, he posted under a mildly different name so u may well have chatted with him Syl. I wish BFF would join and so many others. It wud be nice if anyone from the past decade forgot the grudges of old and just debated(not everyone could do so openly obvs). Even if they wished to remain anon (or had to) as long as posters don't get personal and just debate the topics it would be lovely to speak with them and just enjoy the forum.
Syl said
Apr 9 5:50 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I can't see the close relationship we have had for decades with the US being healed in the next 4 years...their government simply can't be trusted. Starmer and Co will have to be as devious as they are, and at the same time build bridges with the EU again. Barksdale, I agree with most of your posts, and you express yourself so well.
It’s been great having him here. He’s one of the very few people I’ve really missed posting around.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
He may correct me if I am wrong, But I don't think I have ever posted alongside Barksdale before, he is a great poster.
Mind you, God knows how, but I didn't even remember posting with Maddog on Dogs....I certainly won't ever forget him again.
I stayed in the news section with the more erudite posters like Barksdale, while you did the tango with Stoo in the crazy section..😉
I admit, I sort of got used to the rowing on there, it was inevitable because it was a safe haven for trolls....when I saw people getting genuinly upset, being poked and prodded unmercifully, I decided life was too short.
Speaking of life being short, I went to the funeral of my last surviving cousin today, he was more like an uncle when I was growing up.
I have no one left from my past now.
Syl said
Apr 9 7:08 PM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
It is nice to see Barksdale posting, he posted under a mildly different name so u may well have chatted with him Syl. I wish BFF would join and so many others. It wud be nice if anyone from the past decade forgot the grudges of old and just debated(not everyone could do so openly obvs). Even if they wished to remain anon (or had to) as long as posters don't get personal and just debate the topics it would be lovely to speak with them and just enjoy the forum.
I left Dogs years ago, so didn't know most of the posters.
I always liked reading Red Octobers posts over there, so I'm glad he has joined us too.
Vam said
Apr 9 11:05 PM, 2025
(condolences to Syl 💜 sorry for your loss)
@ Anon…who’s BFF? I don’t recall that username.
💡edit to say…scrub that. It’s Big Fat Frosty, right?
-- Edited by Vam on Wednesday 9th of April 2025 11:13:42 PM
Syl said
Apr 9 11:45 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
(condolences to Syl 💜 sorry for your loss)
@ Anon…who’s BFF? I don’t recall that username.
💡edit to say…scrub that. It’s Big Fat Frosty, right?
-- Edited by Vam on Wednesday 9th of April 2025 11:13:42 PM
Thanks Vam.x
Anonymous said
Apr 10 12:48 AM, 2025
Big fat frosty. sorry Vam, didn't see your post. He also just wanted to debate, wasn't interested in insults and forum wars. I also thought Rags could be funny in a dry way.
Red Okktober said
Apr 10 11:39 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I left Dogs years ago, so didn't know most of the posters.
I always liked reading Red Octobers posts over there, so I'm glad he has joined us too.
Thanks Syl - the football thread or the movie/TV thread, were probably the only places where you could have a normal conversation with people who knew what they were talking about
Anything topical or political would turn into a wokefest - there were some hilarious discussions to be had at times.
I'm trying to think who I liked or got on with, and my mind's gone blank!
Vam said
Apr 10 11:48 AM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Big fat frosty. sorry Vam, didn't see your post. He also just wanted to debate, wasn't interested in insults and forum wars. I also thought Rags could be funny in a dry way.
Thanks I remembered who it was right after I posted. Frosty was a good laugh at times! Loved the stories about his tweenie daughter.
Syl said
Apr 10 12:59 PM, 2025
Red Okktober wrote:
Syl wrote:
I left Dogs years ago, so didn't know most of the posters.
I always liked reading Red Octobers posts over there, so I'm glad he has joined us too.
Thanks Syl - the football thread or the movie/TV thread, were probably the only places where you could have a normal conversation with people who knew what they were talking about
Anything topical or political would turn into a wokefest - there were some hilarious discussions to be had at times.
I'm trying to think who I liked or got on with, and my mind's gone blank!
Poca was/is always fun to talk with, but many of the ones who made forums interesting have long gone.
Someone mentioned Fen, and I agree, she would argue the toss for days, but she was never boring.
Anonymous said
Apr 10 2:44 PM, 2025
I used to love watching the blatant lies by certain posters being revealed, the floundering was hilarious.
Anonymous said
Apr 10 3:32 PM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Big fat frosty. sorry Vam, didn't see your post. He also just wanted to debate, wasn't interested in insults and forum wars. I also thought Rags could be funny in a dry way.
I enjoyed their posts, was genuinely miffed when they no longer posted.
Red Okktober said
Apr 10 4:02 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Poca was/is always fun to talk with, but many of the ones who made forums interesting have long gone.
Someone mentioned Fen, and I agree, she would argue the toss for days, but she was never boring.
I like Poca and I've also remembered Puzzler - he seemed to spend half his time stoned and the other half down the gym. Nice bloke and a good taste in music.
Two more I liked, but they were on a different forum whose name I can't recall. One was clone - a half German lady who would post pics of her pug. The other was Kezza - she was quite accident prone IIRC. She once posted a pic of herself with her face covered in cuts and grazes - she was either doing something like decoratring or an everyday object had exploded. Both could tell very funny stories.
Vam said
Apr 10 4:52 PM, 2025
Red Okktober wrote:
Syl wrote:
Poca was/is always fun to talk with, but many of the ones who made forums interesting have long gone.
Someone mentioned Fen, and I agree, she would argue the toss for days, but she was never boring.
I like Poca and I've also remembered Puzzler - he seemed to spend half his time stoned and the other half down the gym. Nice bloke and a good taste in music.
Two more I liked, but they were on a different forum whose name I can't recall. One was clone - a half German lady who would post pics of her pug. The other was Kezza - she was quite accident prone IIRC. She once posted a pic of herself with her face covered in cuts and grazes - she was either doing something like decoratring or an everyday object had exploded. Both could tell very funny stories.
Do you mean Cologne? If so, I remember her very well. And yes, she could be a laugh.
But she once made a sequence of intermittent posts that (reading between the lines) really got to me. I could sense a deep sadness and helplessness about her sometimes. To be clear, she sure as hell wasn’t overtly seeking any handouts, but more venting about some sad experiences in her life. I sensed it was cathartic for her to express what she was going through to complete strangers, rather than to family and friends.
Like I said, it all really got to me. She’s one of 2 people in a forum I ever Western Union-ed some money to. It just seemed right for me to do that at the time.
Vam said
Apr 10 5:20 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Red Okktober wrote:
Syl wrote:
I left Dogs years ago, so didn't know most of the posters.
I always liked reading Red Octobers posts over there, so I'm glad he has joined us too.
Thanks Syl - the football thread or the movie/TV thread, were probably the only places where you could have a normal conversation with people who knew what they were talking about
Anything topical or political would turn into a wokefest - there were some hilarious discussions to be had at times.
I'm trying to think who I liked or got on with, and my mind's gone blank!
Poca was/is always fun to talk with, but many of the ones who made forums interesting have long gone.
Someone mentioned Fen, and I agree, she would argue the toss for days, but she was never boring.
😂 Pokes is always good value. And Ragga could be like a terrier with lockjaw, when she would argue the toss ad infinitum. It’d be great to see more of them.
There was one guy guaranteed to crack me up every single time. But for the life of me, I can’t remember his username. Two people that will always stick in my mind though are (the real) SF and Cleo.
Red Okktober said
Apr 10 6:06 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Do you mean Cologne? If so, I remember her very well. And yes, she could be a laugh.
But she once made a sequence of intermittent posts that (reading between the lines) really got to me. I could sense a deep sadness and helplessness about her sometimes. To be clear, she sure as hell wasn’t overtly seeking any handouts, but more venting about some sad experiences in her life. I sensed it was cathartic for her to express what she was going through to complete strangers, rather than to family and friends.
Like I said, it all really got to me. She’s one of 2 people in a forum I ever Western Union-ed some money to. It just seemed right for me to do that at the time.
It was definitely clone - she was the opposite to what you describe - full of life and hilariously funny. She lived in Scotland with her husband and pug and came across as being quite well off. We were both runners and used to share running tips and stories about the oddballs we would meet out on the road.
Depends how we do with the US trade negotiations but potentially yes. We have a competitive trade advantage in comparison so America may prefer to import from us, particularly pharmaceuticals. There may be greater investment into the UK as well for businesses wanting to maintain access to the US market without the higher costs of being in the EU. Always an opportunity in a crisis.
We can afford to butter up the Trump administration to some degree but will have to carve out some deals when it comes to automobile manufacturing etc. It will probably prove to be a net negative for us but not something we cannot manage.
We can sit back and enjoy the fireworks for now.
Now, if only (the real) SF would sign up too, cos his subtle sarcasm and humour can be comedy gold.
He may correct me if I am wrong, But I don't think I have ever posted alongside Barksdale before, he is a great poster.
Mind you, God knows how, but I didn't even remember posting with Maddog on Dogs....I certainly won't ever forget him again.
🤣🤣🤣 As if he’d ever let you forget him!
Gotta love the vitality though, even when he drives me batshit crazy!
I stayed in the news section with the more erudite posters like Barksdale, while you did the tango with Stoo in the crazy section..😉
I admit, I sort of got used to the rowing on there, it was inevitable because it was a safe haven for trolls....when I saw people getting genuinly upset, being poked and prodded unmercifully, I decided life was too short.
Speaking of life being short, I went to the funeral of my last surviving cousin today, he was more like an uncle when I was growing up.
I have no one left from my past now.
I left Dogs years ago, so didn't know most of the posters.
I always liked reading Red Octobers posts over there, so I'm glad he has joined us too.
(condolences to Syl 💜 sorry for your loss)
@ Anon…who’s BFF? I don’t recall that username.
💡edit to say…scrub that. It’s Big Fat Frosty, right?
-- Edited by Vam on Wednesday 9th of April 2025 11:13:42 PM
Thanks Vam.x
Thanks Syl - the football thread or the movie/TV thread, were probably the only places where you could have a normal conversation with people who knew what they were talking about
Anything topical or political would turn into a wokefest - there were some hilarious discussions to be had at times.
I'm trying to think who I liked or got on with, and my mind's gone blank!
Thanks
I remembered who it was right after I posted. Frosty was a good laugh at times! 
Loved the stories about his tweenie daughter.
Poca was/is always fun to talk with, but many of the ones who made forums interesting have long gone.
Someone mentioned Fen, and I agree, she would argue the toss for days, but she was never boring.
I used to love watching the blatant lies by certain posters being revealed, the floundering was hilarious.
I enjoyed their posts, was genuinely miffed when they no longer posted.
I like Poca and I've also remembered Puzzler - he seemed to spend half his time stoned and the other half down the gym. Nice bloke and a good taste in music.
Two more I liked, but they were on a different forum whose name I can't recall. One was clone - a half German lady who would post pics of her pug. The other was Kezza - she was quite accident prone IIRC. She once posted a pic of herself with her face covered in cuts and grazes - she was either doing something like decoratring or an everyday object had exploded. Both could tell very funny stories.
Do you mean Cologne? If so, I remember her very well. And yes, she could be a laugh.
But she once made a sequence of intermittent posts that (reading between the lines) really got to me. I could sense a deep sadness and helplessness about her sometimes. To be clear, she sure as hell wasn’t overtly seeking any handouts, but more venting about some sad experiences in her life. I sensed it was cathartic for her to express what she was going through to complete strangers, rather than to family and friends.
Like I said, it all really got to me. She’s one of 2 people in a forum I ever Western Union-ed some money to. It just seemed right for me to do that at the time.
😂 Pokes is always good value. And Ragga could be like a terrier with lockjaw, when she would argue the toss ad infinitum. It’d be great to see more of them.
There was one guy guaranteed to crack me up every single time. But for the life of me, I can’t remember his username. Two people that will always stick in my mind though are (the real) SF and Cleo.
It was definitely clone - she was the opposite to what you describe - full of life and hilariously funny. She lived in Scotland with her husband and pug and came across as being quite well off. We were both runners and used to share running tips and stories about the oddballs we would meet out on the road.