Napoleon tribute act Emmanuel Macron threatens to wreck Brexit Britain by means of trade war — we call his bluff

Mac’s wrong

CLOWNS to the left of us, jokers to the right.

On one side, Irish PM Leo Varadkar is more a comedian than he is a statesman, though it’s not a high bar to clear.

On the other, Emmanuel Macron, a Napoleon tribute act whose stature is matched only by his collapsing poll ratings ­— and who is using tough talk on Brexit to distract from trouble at home.

But Mini Manu’s threats ring hollow.

Does he honestly think French businesses will thank him if he brings a huge chunk of the £70billion-plus trade between our two countries to a halt?

Does he honestly think French consumers are so annoyed about our decision to leave that they’ll want lorries blocking their motorways and supermarket shelves empty?

But Macron’s desire to wreak havoc on the UK economy as a Brexit punishment betrays the Continent’s fear that an unleashed Britain would leave the EU in the dust.

We have no desire for our Government to enter a trade war.

If Britain goes without a deal — and there’s every chance — then we will show Europe what they’re missing with tax cuts and a red tape bonfire that will supercharge the economy.

A sensible French leader would welcome a deal that works for both sides.

Time for l’enfant terrible to grow up.

Dyson matter

GOOD luck to Sir James Dyson in Asia.

His new Singapore plant will give his thriving British firm a foothold in the world’s fastest-growing car market.

And it seems to have escaped the Remainers crowing that Brexit-backer Sir James has chosen to build abroad that — by their logic — we’d have to boot Nissan out of Sunderland.

Brexit is about building a free trading Britain. That means being a part of a global economy. One in which the Japanese can build cars in the North East, American outfits can trade in the City and, yes, navy blue British passports can be made in France.

Protectionism is a race to the bottom.

Homes misery

BRITAIN now has the fourth lowest rate of home ownership in the EU.

It is a damning indictment of decades of failed housing policy. Next week’s Budget is a chance for a radical sea change to ensure our property-owning democracy survives for generations.

Don’t blow it, Chancellor.

Help heroes

MPs shouldn’t have to march on Downing Street to end the witch-hunt against Northern Ireland veterans.

But the PM and Cabinet must listen.

The disgraceful pursuit must stop.