The Intelligence from The Economist Pull out all the backstops: Boris Johnson in Europe
Aug 22, 2019
In this engaging discussion, John Peet, Brexit editor at The Economist, and Henry Tricks, Schumpeter column author, tackle the sticky Irish backstop dilemma as Boris Johnson navigates Brexit ahead of the G7. They dissect the diplomatic tensions between the UK and EU, alongside the difficulties FedEx faces in the Amazon-dominated market. Additionally, they explore surprising economic insights on marijuana legalization and its unexpected influence on snack consumption versus alcohol sales. Tune in for a deep dive into these essential topics!
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Johnson's Brexit Stance
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Europe to renegotiate Brexit, focusing on removing the Irish backstop.
- He believes the backstop is undemocratic and hinders the Leave campaign's goals.
Europe's Brexit Calculus
- Some in Europe want to uphold their single market and see Brexit fail to deter other countries from leaving.
- However, they also don't want a no-deal Brexit due to potential damage to everyone.
FedEx Origin Story
- FedEx founder Fred Smith has a legendary story about getting a C on his business idea.
- It's also said he gambled the firm's last money in Vegas and won.