At Last Boris at Last.

[local]

Successive governments and lately Conservative ones have made poor decisions on this countries economic future and at last;

Boris Johnson has instructed civil servants to make plans to end UK's reliance on China for vital medical supplies and other strategic imports in light of the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports in the Times.

Its something copied off Trump but who cares its long overdue.

Lets hope its true and they get on with it.

[Hector]

'Project Defend' !

How dramatic. Suitable for a fat Classics graduate with a joke hairstyle, but sadly indicative of a lack of understanding concerning economic reality.

[grassroots]

Good on you boris , should have been done years ago .

[grassroots]

'Project Defend' !

How dramatic. Suitable for a fat Classics graduate with a joke hairstyle, but sadly indicative of a lack of understanding concerning economic reality.

You should show some respect . Assole.

[Hamble]

Good move if the object is to make the UK self sufficient for the next crisis.

[local]

'Project Defend' !

How dramatic. Suitable for a fat Classics graduate with a joke hairstyle, but sadly indicative of a lack of understanding concerning economic reality.

I hazard a guess that his academic achievements dwarf yours but just in case I'm wrong,


please tell us about this "lack of understanding concerning economic reality"

Perhaps we could then forward it too HM Government ?

After full peer review by our armchair experts of course

[Hector]

I hazard a guess that his academic achievements dwarf yours but just in case I'm wrong,


please tell us about this "lack of understanding concerning economic reality"

Perhaps we could then forward it too HM Government ?

After full peer review by our armchair experts of course

Well, Local, your understanding of economics is clearly as limited as your propensity to applaud the bashing of China is large.

How long do you think a reordering of the world is going to take?

Countries like Britain can certainly produce lots of things. But to do it cheaply enough, then costs such as workers' wages have to come down. Are you ready for that?

[Alikado]

Successive governments and lately Conservative ones have made poor decisions on this countries economic future and at last;

Boris Johnson has instructed civil servants to make plans to end UK's reliance on China for vital medical supplies and other strategic imports in light of the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports in the Times.

Its something copied off Trump but who cares its long overdue.

Lets hope its true and they get on with it.

I suspect it is only a headline, all Disaster Planning would automatically take steps to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain, it would appear that in the last 40 - 45 the obsession with the cheapest cost has got in the way of common sense, it is no use having 2 suppliers if both of those source from the same manufacturer.

[local]

Well, Local, your understanding of economics is clearly as limited as your propensity to applaud the bashing of China is large.

How long do you think a reordering of the world is going to take?

Countries like Britain can certainly produce lots of things. But to do it cheaply enough, then costs such as workers' wages have to come down. Are you ready for that?

I gather economics isn't as suspected your forte but still I await your recommendations and your expertise, one can never stop learning

Trump the blunderbuss has achieved China has committing to buying an additional $200 billion worth of American goods and services by 2021 and is expected to ease some of the tariffs it has placed on American products.

But the agreement preserves the bulk of the tariffs that Mr. Trump has placed on $360 billion worth of Chinese goods, and it maintains the threat of additional punishment if Beijing does not live up to the terms of the deal.


Should I put the kettle on or start a book ?

[Hector]

Start reading a book, Local. Start with Janet and John. And this time pay attention.

(Please go back and edit that bit about 'Blunderbus Trump' so it makes some sense.)

[Hector]

But seriously, Local, you seem an intelligent guy.

Surely you must know that Project Defend's proposed objective of repatriating 'key manufacturing capabilities such as pharmaceuticals' is a fantasy; albeit one that elicits cheering.

Indian pharmaceutical companies are reliant on China and UK is reliant on Indian product. As laudatory as the idea of self-reliance may sound, and despite the number of whistles it engenders from the masses on the terraces of the land, practical it is not.

Wake up, Local.

[Toodles McGinty]

You should show some respect . Assole.

Why? He's not wrong. Perhaps a 'philandering liar who ruffles his hair as a gimmick' would be better? A list of Johnson's proven faults, gaffs, lies and criminal activities would take up pages. Even the most ardent Tory must admit he isn't a pleasant man. I don't think having an opinion on that makes anyone an 'assole'. What respect has Johnson shown anyone? Ever? His wives? His employers? The Queen?

Good move if the object is to make the UK self sufficient for the next crisis.

I agree that making us self-sufficient in anything is a good move. Considering what we are about to face next year.

However, is it a good thing that we are whittling down our choices even further? I'm no fan of China and it's regime. Human rights wise, it is up there with Saudi.

China is a major trading partner. Will this impact on other areas of trade? Given that the world pretty much relies on them for parts of, well, everything?

I know little about international trade, but I do know that it can be a delicate process. I'm 100% for us being self sufficient in any area possible. I'd just like to know if this will have a negative knock-on effect in future trade in other areas. We cannot possibly manufacture anything as cheaply as China, so regardless of trade deals and tariffs, will it still be cheaper for pharmaceutical companies here to import goods, or will they be banned entirely?

Will it make medicines too expensive for most people, or will the NHS have to shoulder the cost of these new home grown goods?

[local]

But seriously, Local, you seem an intelligent guy.

Surely you must know that Project Defend's proposed objective of repatriating 'key manufacturing capabilities such as pharmaceuticals' is a fantasy; albeit one that elicits cheering.

Indian pharmaceutical companies are reliant on China and UK is reliant on Indian product. As laudatory as the idea of self-reliance may sound, and despite the number of whistles it engenders from the masses on the terraces of the land, practical it is not.

Wake up, Local.

I am awake and still applauding the initiative from the government even with it originating from the Blunderbuss (two S's by the way)

If they don't do anything I am very happy to condemn the Government.

India and China's dominance in the generic drug market is a good example as to why we need to find some alternatives.

We cannot rely on China they clearly have a lot to answer over this outbreak.

[Hector]

I am awake and still applauding the initiative from the government ...

India and China's dominance in the generic drug market is a good example as to why we need to find some alternative.

Local:

There are factors of production. One of these is 'labour'. India and China are dominant in generic drug production either by producing the end product or the raw material because they can source cheap labour.
This should not be hard for you to grasp.

UK has moved away from areas that need cheap labour to make a profit, Local, because UK citizens demand a high standard of living. Is this really that hard for you to understand?

[silver fox]

I am awake and still applauding the initiative from the government even with it originating from the Blunderbuss (two S's by the way)

If they don't do anything I am very happy to condemn the Government.

India and China's dominance in the generic drug market is a good example as to why we need to find some alternatives.

We cannot rely on China they clearly have a lot to answer over this outbreak.

If he can make this happen even I will applaud, but I don’t applaud grandiose statements until they are backed up.

Unfortunately production of all sorts has been moved from this country for many reasons, reversing this will mean many changes, this country has not been self sufficient for all our needs for centuries.