Britain and the EU: In or Out?

Foreign investors split

By Brian Groom and Hannah Kuchler

This article was first published on January 17 2013

The countries of the EU are the destination for almost half of British exports, but trade with buzzing emerging economies, such as China and Brazil, is on the rise. So, too, is disagreement among business leaders about how renegotiation of Britain’s membership of the bloc could affect trade and investment.

Associations representing investors from the US, Germany, France, Ireland, Canada and Sweden voiced concern that the UK government is dragging out the debate on membership, making it difficult for businesses to plan and harming the UK economy.

“We fear that a tenuous bond between Britain and the rest of the EU will lead to fewer foreign ...