How to lose business and alienate potential trade partners

Britain’s immigration crackdown - No entry - How to lose business and alienate potential trade partners
LAST September David Cameron headed to Brazil with his trade minister and dozens of businessmen. “This visit is about British jobs, British growth and the British economy,” said the prime minister. In October it was British universities’ turn, with student fairs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Britain’s diplomatic service is scaling back elsewhere, but Brazil has got extra staff and “prosperity officers” whose brief is to strengthen business ties, thus boosting growth. They have their work cut out. A Conservative pre-election pledge to cut net immigration to under 100,000 a year is putting the home secretary, Theresa May, who must try to keep the promise, at odds with colleagues more concerned with Britain’s ailing economy. Whether she wins or loses, each public row further damages Britain’s standing abroad. Read more...