---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that the European Union…"
description: "\"I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a shock. They were shocked when they realised the Brexit trade negotiations were not just going..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg"
---

#  I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a…

![“I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a shock. They were shocked when they realised the Brexit trade negotiations were not just going to be a continuation of those that happened under Theresa May.” quote by Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg)

> “I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a shock. They were shocked when they realised the Brexit trade negotiations were not just going to be a continuation of those that happened under Theresa May.”

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Brexit negotiations surprised EU officials, revealing they differed fundamentally from prior UK talks under May.

**In simple terms:** Brexit talks were unexpectedly different.

Key Takeaway

Prepare for negotiation shifts.

Themes

politics trade Brexit EU negotiations

Mood

cautious inquisitive

Type

strategic reflective

When to use this quote

- government negotiations
- business strategy
- risk assessment

Key Concepts

international relations strategic planning

Questions to Reflect On

- How can negotiators anticipate policy changes?
- What lessons arise from Brexit?

A Different Perspective

Assuming continuity can lead to missteps.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Brexit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brexit/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [European union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/european-union/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/)

## Related quotes

> [The developing countries must be able to take a more active part in trade negotiations, through technical assistance and support from the developed countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-lindh/the-developing-countries-must-be-able-to-take-a-more-active-part-in/)

[Anna Lindh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-lindh/)

> [We have worked to make our trade negotiations more transparent and to negotiate value-based agreements. We have listened to concerns, for example by carrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-malmstrom/we-have-worked-to-make-our-trade-negotiations-more-transparent-and-to/)

[Cecilia Malmstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-malmstrom/)

> [Trade negotiations require compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/trade-negotiations-require-compromise/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [To someone like me, who has watched trade negotiations closely for more than a quarter-century, it is clear that U.S. trade negotiators got most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/to-someone-like-me-who-has-watched-trade-negotiations-closely-for/)

[Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/)

> [I had the trade minister in China sit down as we were preparing for trade negotiations. He said, 'Please don't let people in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-huntsman-jr/i-had-the-trade-minister-in-china-sit-down-as-we-were-preparing-for/)

[Jon Huntsman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-huntsman-jr/)

> [While the WTO negotiations will continue, there are other trade negotiations of a bilateral nature, which among other things, should help to open up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/while-the-wto-negotiations-will-continue-there-are-other-trade/)

[Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/)

> [The WTO has outlived its usefulness as a setting for trade negotiations. It can still be a good place to resolve disputes (though this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-altman/the-wto-has-outlived-its-usefulness-as-a-setting-for-trade/)

[Daniel Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-altman/)

> [Our trade negotiations should ensure that American workers are protected and that there are mechanisms in place to deal with other countries cheating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beruff/our-trade-negotiations-should-ensure-that-american-workers-are/)

[Carlos Beruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beruff/)

> [Trump said we got snookered. That those agreements like NAFTA were the worst agreements ever and suggested that our trade negotiators were snookered by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/trump-said-we-got-snookered-that-those-agreements-like-nafta-were-the/)

[Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/)

> [Without the U.S. leading the way in trade negotiations, we likely will see irreversible damage to our environment and widespread abuse of labor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/without-the-u-s-leading-the-way-in-trade-negotiations-we-likely-will/)

[Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/)

> [“Eric Spiegel, the head of Siemens’ US arm, laid out a vision not that far removed from Ms Huang’s when he spoke at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/eric-spiegel-the-head-of-siemens-us-arm-laid-out-a-vision-not-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Create the impression of endless willingness to compromise and you almost invite deadlines. That's the challenge we now have in North Korea and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/create-the-impression-of-endless-willingness-to-compromise-and-you/)

[Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/)

> [There are a lot of negotiators that really will give in on a deal because being understood is more important than getting what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-are-a-lot-of-negotiators-that-really-will-give-in-on-a-deal/)

[Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/)

> [I can tell the negotiators, please, when you consider all the options, do not be constrained by the risk of an oil embargo on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-mandil/i-can-tell-the-negotiators-please-when-you-consider-all-the-options/)

Claude Mandil

> [Agreement reached by the negotiators?usually starts to collapse in the hands of those who implement it, no matter how carefully cleared at the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-p-bush/agreement-reached-by-the-negotiators-usually-starts-to-collapse-in/)

[George P. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-p-bush/)

## More by Claire Fox

> [My political views have never made me insensitive to the pain and suffering caused to the innocent victims of events such as the Warrington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/my-political-views-have-never-made-me-insensitive-to-the-pain-and/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [Welsh voices and Welsh communities were heard in 2016 in their tens of thousands, in their droves. They voted to leave the European Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/welsh-voices-and-welsh-communities-were-heard-in-2016-in-their-tens/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [An ever-widening definition of abuse can incite a culture of fear and complaint: encouraging teachers and girls to name and shame could mean labelling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/an-ever-widening-definition-of-abuse-can-incite-a-culture-of-fear-and/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [I would never say don't have an argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-would-never-say-don-t-have-an-argument/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [There is a strand of self-absorption and fragility running through this generation; all too ready to cry 'victim' at the first hint of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/there-is-a-strand-of-self-absorption-and-fragility-running-through/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [One thing we can be sure of is that Brexit will leave its mark on the E.U.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/one-thing-we-can-be-sure-of-is-that-brexit-will-leave-its-mark-on-the/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [I think the idea of journalists being neutral is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-think-the-idea-of-journalists-being-neutral-is-very-important/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [If you lose an argument it doesn't mean you change your mind but you have to accept the decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/if-you-lose-an-argument-it-doesn-t-mean-you-change-your-mind-but-you/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [I have fought for open immigration which is something I disagree with Nigel Farage on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-have-fought-for-open-immigration-which-is-something-i-disagree-with/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [I confess that when I hear Boris Johnson's slogan let's get Brexit done it sends a chill. Because it's let's get Brexit done so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-confess-that-when-i-hear-boris-johnson-s-slogan-let-s-get-brexit/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [Yes, we know that obesity is an issue, but it isn't the end of the world as is reported everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/yes-we-know-that-obesity-is-an-issue-but-it-isn-t-the-end-of-the/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [There was such a sense of relief on the left when New Labour came to power that certain orthodoxies could not be challenged. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/there-was-such-a-sense-of-relief-on-the-left-when-new-labour-came-to/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [The first job of the Brexit Party is to make sure Brexit's delivered and if that involves electoral pacts, that might happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/the-first-job-of-the-brexit-party-is-to-make-sure-brexit-s-delivered/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [One of the great tragedies of Brexit has been that despite the fact there was an unprecedented public vote for change, Brexit was almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/one-of-the-great-tragedies-of-brexit-has-been-that-despite-the-fact/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

> [If you challenge multiculturalism you are seen to be a racist. But it's a political philosophy that needs to be looked at. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/if-you-challenge-multiculturalism-you-are-seen-to-be-a-racist-but-it/)

[Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

[Explore all 100 Claire Fox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/)

## More Brexit quotes

> [No-deal Brexit could be Boris Johnson's biggest deception yet - worse than the Boris bus or the lies that had him sacked as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/no-deal-brexit-could-be-boris-johnson-s-biggest-deception-yet-worse/)

[Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/)

> [And after Brexit, we will be free to determine our economic future, with control over our money, laws and borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-truss/and-after-brexit-we-will-be-free-to-determine-our-economic-future/)

[Liz Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-truss/)

> [No one voted for a Brexit that will tie us to the E.U.'s customs rules and prevent us striking meaningful trade deals of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-johnson/no-one-voted-for-a-brexit-that-will-tie-us-to-the-e-u-s-customs-rules/)

[Jo Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-johnson/)

> [The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaign-is-the-one-that-said-take/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [The audience for facts, evidence and research about microtargeting, Facebook and Brexit is tiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-cummings/the-audience-for-facts-evidence-and-research-about-microtargeting/)

[Dominic Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-cummings/)

> [I am a passionate, pragmatic, and positive believer in Brexit, and with my three-step plan, we can decisively leave the E.U.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-am-a-passionate-pragmatic-and-positive-believer-in-brexit-and-with/)

[Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/)

> [The important thing with Facebook is to remember that it played a role in facilitating Brexit because it inadvertently allowed leave-supporting groups to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nish-kumar/the-important-thing-with-facebook-is-to-remember-that-it-played-a/)

[Nish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nish-kumar/)

> [Brexit has always been an impossible project, except at the price of massive self-harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/brexit-has-always-been-an-impossible-project-except-at-the-price-of/)

[Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/)

> [Whatever happens with Brexit, what I am absolutely convinced will not happen is that free movement of individuals, free movement of people, will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/whatever-happens-with-brexit-what-i-am-absolutely-convinced-will-not/)

[Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/)

> [I think one of the laughable things about poor old Brexit is that they're so cross - they're furious with everyone. But this isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-think-one-of-the-laughable-things-about-poor-old-brexit-is-that/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [Brexit has really broken a taboo. The Brits have shown us that you can leave the European Union, and you can come out better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/brexit-has-really-broken-a-taboo-the-brits-have-shown-us-that-you-can/)

[Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/)

> [People are rightly concerned about what Brexit will mean for the country, for their jobs and for their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemi-badenoch/people-are-rightly-concerned-about-what-brexit-will-mean-for-the/)

[Kemi Badenoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemi-badenoch/)

> [Brexit is not, thankfully, a question of war. But, like Iraq, Brexit is an act of unprovoked self-harm and a massive strategic mistake that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/brexit-is-not-thankfully-a-question-of-war-but-like-iraq-brexit-is-an/)

[Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/)

> [I'll keep fighting for the best, most successful Brexit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/i-ll-keep-fighting-for-the-best-most-successful-brexit/)

[Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/)

> [The skills necessary to change nappies or negotiate Brexit are obviously very different, but both involve a great deal of trust in the competence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/the-skills-necessary-to-change-nappies-or-negotiate-brexit-are/)

[Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/)

[Browse all 412 Brexit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brexit/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a shock. They were shocked when they realised the Brexit trade negotiations were not just going to be a continuation of those that happened under Theresa May.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Claire Fox"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiators-have-gotten-a-shock-they/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Brexit"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiators-have-gotten-a-shock-they/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/claire-fox-5598_brexit_i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiat_2998659.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think that the European Union negotiators have gotten a shock. They were shocked when they realised the…” — Claire Fox",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Claire Fox",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think that the European Union...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiators-have-gotten-a-shock-they/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/i-think-that-the-european-union-negotiators-have-gotten-a-shock-they/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
