Brexit and the political turmoil in the United Kingdom are not forcing American businesses to shy away, according to a new survey of business leaders.
Just the opposite, in fact, as 90% told John Zogby Strategies, they are eager to start or continue doing business with U.K. firms.
And they could be rewarded. Shortly after Johnson’s landslide election was confirmed and Brexit put on the fast track, President Trump tweeted, “Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new trade deal after Brexit.”
According to the polling analysis, shared with Secrets, “the results show a high likelihood to begin or continue plans to conduct trade with the U.K in 2020” by U.S. companies.
Of note, more American business leaders than not sided with Brexit — the U.K.’s break from the European Union — in the Zogby survey.
Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN! Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the E.U. Celebrate Boris!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
“We asked respondents which view about Brexit was closest to theirs. In one option, we invoked 1776, and the notion of natural rights to break away from a government. The second option, we presented the case for giving up national sovereignty to a union in order to prevent the bloodshed witnessed in 20th-century Europe. A plurality of U.S. business leaders (45%) select the right to break away while a little over one-third (34%) prefer a union superseding national sovereignty,” said the survey.
The poll found that most, 83%, plan to import goods from the U.K., and 84% plan to export goods and services to it.
And 58% said they wanted to stay close with U.K. business because it is in their mutual interests.
