#Brexit? Not if America has a choice

A decision is coming soon on whether or not David Cameron will get the reform deal he desires, writes Jane Booth. Cameron is in Brussels for the European summit this week (18-19 February), and the chances of his deal seem to be dwindling. However, President Barack Obama repeatedly advises Cameron to not leave the EU.

If I asked an average American what they knew about Brexit, there is a large chance that they would not know what I was talking about. If I asked that same American who the Prime Minister of Britain is, I’m still not sure that they would know. The next question would be about the European Union, and again, while they may know of it, they would probably not know a lot of the details.

However, what the average American would know is that much of the continent of Europe is a peaceful, stable place. This is a fact that is almost taken for granted. Europe, as a whole, is seen as a strong counterpart to the US that shares many of the same values and ideologies, just with older cities and different languages.

Most Americans don’t realize that the key to Europe’s success is a balancing act. Because of the similarities between the US and Europe, sometimes it is hard to remember that Europe is made up of 50 countries, as opposed to America’s 50 states. When the 28 member states of the EU fight for what they need, it is like the United State’s government on steroids. How is it possible to compare a conflict between Rhode Island and Minnesota, to one between Germany and France?

The EU has been an experiment since its conception. In the US, there is no fighting or conflict between states, because in the end, they are all part of the same country. In Europe, it is different. The EU tries to foster that same attitude that has worked so well in the US. Is it possible for a country to look at Europe as a greater importance than itself internally? Since Winston Churchill called for a “United States of Europe” following World War, that is what the EU has demanded.

It is no secret that the US and UK have a “special relationship.” For the past century, they have supported each other through economic bottoms and wars. In Washington, this has also meant solid relations throughout Europe. The US has been using the UK as a stepping stone to Europe since they joined in 1973. This ability is one that Obama is anxiously holding on to with a tight grip.

Obama has publicly said that he is looking forward to the UK staying in the EU. He has had made it clear under no uncertain terms that a Brexit would not be good for the US. He has also made it clear that a Brexit would not be good for the UK, either.

While Obama and the US has been criticized by the Conservatives to mind their own business, Brexit is their business. How could the US possibly not offer their opinion? If the UK were to leave the EU, it would be very bad for America. The relationship between America and the EU has been beneficial economically, politically and socially.

If the UK were to leave, one of the strongest allies the US has, would no longer be a part of the European governing body. The UK would no longer be able to offer their input on European issues, and this means that the US would not be able to put in their input through the UK. It is not surprising that the US would suffer from a Brexit, as they would lose their influence in Europe.

The US is not in the business of creating free trade agreements with individual countries. The US-EU trade agreement wouldn’t apply to the UK if they left, so trade between the US and UK would have high tariffs.

Perhaps the most significant reason the UK needs to stay in the EU, is their departure threatens the balance that Europe hangs on. The UK has the second strongest economy in the EU, only behind Germany. Their exit could very easily throw off the scale that keeps the EU functioning properly. It may sacrifice the political stability that that average American takes for granted when they think of Europe. It may take away the peace that the continent has fought for since the end of World War II, and that is why Obama and the US will continue to advise Cameron and the UK to remain in the EU.

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