The assertive and no nonsense chairman of Wetherspoon Tim Martin accused the unelected EU president, Jean-Claude Juncker of placing an “unfair burden” on its supply chain by encouraging European business to be deliberately uncooperative with UK companies.
Mr Tim Martin warned that the EU’s “bullying” would result in a loss of business for European companies and put sales of champagne, German beer and Swedish cider to UK consumers “at extreme risk”.
“Wetherspoon normally agrees on trade deals with suppliers for three to 10 years,” he said. “If we, and companies like ours, are unable to agree on tariff-free transactions, it will inevitably result in a loss of business for European companies which have done nothing to deserve this outcome.
“Indeed, the ultimate sanction will be in the hands of UK consumers, should they take offence at the hectoring and bullying approach of Juncker and co.”
Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin claims:
Tim Martin, Wetherspoon boss
Tim Martin claimed Juncker has influenced other EU businesses to develop and ”intransigent” attitude to negotiations, making them inflexible to any compromise and all suggestions with the UK, following the brexit outcome of the referendum. Speculation that UK prime minister, Theresa May, may sooner rather than later, trigger Article 50 to begin the formal process of Uk’s referendum vote to leave the EU has further heightened tensions between the U.K and the EU. Tim Martins threat of a ban on European drinks will lead to further bans here and there, dividing the lines of communication even sharper.
Tim Martin’s comments came in the wake of plummeting sales for alcohol in Wetherspoon. His outright declaration of a ban on European drinks may well have sparked a business war between EU businessmen and UK businessmen, since it does not take much imagination to picture a scenario in which the outspoken Wetherspoon boss is compelled to carry out his threat if Juncker does not compromise his bullish stance that reflects his childish pain that the UK has left the EU. The rift between the EU and the UK over the brexit referendum is only getting deeper but requires an injection of common sense which appears to be lacking on the part of Juncker.
Junker’s authority
Sitting at the top of the EU club, Juncker has the position and authority to influence members of the other 27 states of the European community. Business leaders will be likely to listen to him, though they should have the independence of mind to examine his destructive and spiteful approach. Any orders he gives to frustrate relations with the UK will be met with a retaliation of the type that prolongs the tension between us and them. There will be more bans from the EU and more bans from the UK, with the bans extending to other areas until things potentially spirals out of control.
Imagine other businesses imposing bans of their own against EU products and vice versa; this could become a never ending imposition of bans on several goods and products. Juncker needs to wake up and realise that his behavior is very bullish. He has many other countries still in the EU, and must stop his bullish attitude, Tim Martin is but one of many challengers.
