--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We think it is possible to get the…" description: "\"We think it is possible to get the benefits of a customs union but still have the flexibility for the U.K. to pursue an independent trade policy on top..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9e/david-lidington-7277_europe_we-think-it-is-possible-to-get-the-benef_2985492.jpg" --- # We think it is possible to get the benefits of a customs… ![“We think it is possible to get the benefits of a customs union but still have the flexibility for the U.K. to pursue an independent trade policy on top of that with other countries outside the E.U.” quote by David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9e/david-lidington-7277_europe_we-think-it-is-possible-to-get-the-benef_2985492.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9e/david-lidington-7277_europe_we-think-it-is-possible-to-get-the-benef_2985492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a9e/david-lidington-7277_europe_we-think-it-is-possible-to-get-the-benef_2985492.jpg) > “We think it is possible to get the benefits of a customs union but still have the flexibility for the U.K. to pursue an independent trade policy on top of that with other countries outside the E.U.” [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates a hybrid trade model combining customs union benefits with independent policy flexibility **In simple terms:** Blend union benefits with independent trade flexibility Key Takeaway Consider hybrid trade arrangements Themes trade policy sovereignty Mood strategic pragmatic Type political economic When to use this quote - UK-EU negotiations - global trade agreements - post‑Brexit strategy Key Concepts customs union independent policy flexibility Questions to Reflect On - How can a country balance integration and autonomy? - What risks arise from dual trade structures? A Different Perspective May limit bargaining power with larger blocs ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benefits Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits-customs-4664890/) [Customs Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs-union-762867/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexibility/) [Independent Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent-trade-696880/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Trade Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade-policy-529400/) [Union Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/union-flexibility-4664891/) ## Related quotes > [How we Brexit must preserve the opportunities that come from leaving the E.U., such as the benefits of an independent trade policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-mordaunt/how-we-brexit-must-preserve-the-opportunities-that-come-from-leaving/) [Penny Mordaunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-mordaunt/) > [Trade wars aren't started by countries appealing to respected, independent trade authorities. Rather, trade wars begin when one country decides to violate international trade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-wyden/trade-wars-aren-t-started-by-countries-appealing-to-respected/) [Ron Wyden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-wyden/) > [Trade wars arent started by countries appealing to respected, independent trade authorities. 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You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/we-already-heard-from-president-macron-saying-he-won-t-let-britain/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [Mercosur is a customs union of poor quality that creates trade distortions and hurts its members.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/mercosur-is-a-customs-union-of-poor-quality-that-creates-trade/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [Our destiny is as a global beacon of free trade and we cannot deliver that while bound to the declining E.U. and its protectionist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priti-patel/our-destiny-is-as-a-global-beacon-of-free-trade-and-we-cannot-deliver/) [Priti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priti-patel/) > [Being outside the customs union would mean masses of new red tape, a desperate scramble for trade agreements and the re-emergence of a border…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuka-umunna/being-outside-the-customs-union-would-mean-masses-of-new-red-tape-a/) [Chuka Umunna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuka-umunna/) ## More by David Lidington > [In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-africa-animals-and-the-natural-landscape-allow-local-communities/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary underpin our democracy and lie at the heart of our way of life. 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The private sector also brings skills and knowledge to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/open-and-fair-competition-within-free-markets-encourages-innovation/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [In a world of competing conflicts and challenges, the U.K.'s investment in global security, and a willingness to trial new approaches and respond to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-a-world-of-competing-conflicts-and-challenges-the-u-k-s-investment/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [As the Chair of the National Security Council Sub-Committee overseeing the CSSF and Prosperity Fund, I am proud of what it has achieved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/as-the-chair-of-the-national-security-council-sub-committee/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [Like my constituents, I have had to immerse myself in the detail about HS2 precisely because of the massive and permanent impact it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/like-my-constituents-i-have-had-to-immerse-myself-in-the-detail-about/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [Many people might wonder why conserving wildlife should be considered so important when there are wider issues of global and national interest, such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/many-people-might-wonder-why-conserving-wildlife-should-be-considered/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [The U.K. is at the heart of intelligence gathering with our allies to call out hostile activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/the-u-k-is-at-the-heart-of-intelligence-gathering-with-our-allies-to/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [If we could end the old fashioned idea that feeling down is something to be ashamed of, something that you shouldn't burden others with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/if-we-could-end-the-old-fashioned-idea-that-feeling-down-is-something/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) [Explore all 93 David Lidington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) ## More Europe quotes > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. 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Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Conservatism aims to maintain in working order the loyalties of the community to perceived truths and also to those truths which in their judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr-2/conservatism-aims-to-maintain-in-working-order-the-loyalties-of-the/) [William F. 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