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We need to strengthen ties and forge new ones with United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s people and government are among the oldest, warmest, staunchest friends we Americans have. Surely U.K. residents and leaders understand our president sometimes says and does things that make us shudder.

On Thursday, voters in the U.K. agreed to pull their country out of the European Union. Their prime minister, David Cameron, opposed such action. He had the grace to announce after the vote that, in obeyance to the will of the people, he would step down.

During a visit to the UK several weeks ago, President Barack Obama urged voters there to remain within the EU. Dire consequences to their economy would result from leaving, he said.

In fact, Obama lectured our friends, their relationship with the United States would be damaged. The U.K. would go to the “back of the queue” for trade agreements with our country, the president explained.

Nonsense. Leaders in Congress, along with both contenders for president, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, should make it clear to U.K. residents that on trade, Obama’s threat does not reflect the will of the American people.

We do not abandon our friends because they choose to declare their independence from a system, the EU, that has become a dictator to its members of policies far beyond those involving the economy.

Our bonds with the people and government of the U.K. are too warm and strong for us to break off our friendship – or for it to be affected by the foolish comments of any of our leaders. Now is the time for new links to be forged between our nations, not to put old ones in jeopardy.

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