How does the EU benefit the U.S?

What would be the net benefit or detriment for the UK to withdraw from the EU and join NAFTA instead?

• Since a question has been posed on the UK leaving the EU and setting up a trade relationship with the EU similar to Norway's. What would be the effect of carrying the concept a bit further and considering the ramifications of the UK leaving the EU and joining NAFTA instead?

• Answer:

  Draft answer Tariffs between EU and US are already very low, so it wouldn't really help much. UK has about 60% of its trade with EU and about 16% with US. So it would be important that the switch did not hurt trade with Europe. There is a now huge negotiation between EU and US on a trade deal. This is very controversial which is important: 1. It shows that trade is not easy and that the argument over UK in EU is normal. 2. Given the EU is having a hard time getting what it wants, despite lots of negotiating power, why do you think UK alone would get a better deal? Many of the controversial things are items UK doesn't want (eg GM food) Quite a dated piece (2002) but quite good http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399694/The-alternatives.html# WSJ arguing in favour.  http://m.europe.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204791104577110163558996698?mg=reno64-wsj Economist from 2000 http://www.economist.com/node/302480