Clive Crook, Columnist

What Canada Can Teach Post-Brexit Britain

How to thrive next to a big neighbor.

November 2, 2016 at 5:52 PM UTC

Clive Crook is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board covering economics. Previously, he was deputy editor of the Economist and chief Washington commentator for the Financial Times.

Role model?
Photographer: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

Canada, let's agree, has much to teach the world. Following the signing of its new trade deal with the European Union, its lessons on the future of Britain and Europe are especially timely.

The Economist just celebrated Canada's distinctive achievements with a cover and supporting articles. The magazine was full of admiration for Canada's liberal, outward-looking centrism. Yet what struck me most in these excellent pieces was an observation made in passing: "Brexiteers might justifiably claim that they voted for exactly what Canada already has: control of immigration and the freedom to negotiate trade deals with any country willing to reciprocate."