Depending on how things turn out in France in the near future, they may be busy fighting "Frexit" sentiments in their own country. Le Pen has already brought up the possibility (granted, I don't expect her to be in power, but the idea is out there).
Non-EU Exports for April 2016 were £13.0 billion. EU Exports for April 2016 were £12.0 billion.
Non-EU Imports for April 2016 were £21.9 billion. EU Imports for April 2016 were £19.1 billion.
Regardless, it's not like materials to trade disappears... my guess would be the UK negotiates with the EU to basically keep trade the same. If not the UK will be increase exports elsewhere.
It's far from clear that the UK will be able to sort this out easily.
Those commonwealth countries (Canada) also trade with the EU. Whether they will choose to favour britain or not is also open. We'll get back to you on that one.
Switzerland's the real winner in this one
Why? Out of pique? Out of being disrespected? Out of a general tit for tat?
I don't agree with the UK voters today (from my safe spot of not being a UK voter) but it seems pretty silly for the EU or countries within the EU to treat this vote--assuming it goes ahead--as a petulant child would, damn the consequences. They should and probably will make a rational response based on their own interests whether or not they're "annoyed" or whatever the word is with the UK.
The EU was specifically meant to prevent countries taking actions in their own interest, to stop them from putting their own interests above those of other countries. Now that is done and France can act in France's interests, which probably aren't exactly the same as Britain's. They are now free to make the rational decision to, for example, place tariffs on British goods so as to protect French manufacturers.
Great for European unity, I see.
The UK never believed in the EU and only wanted the good side of it. It's better for everyone that they'll be gone. There was no European Union if a selfish state didn't want to be united in the bad things too.
If the EU as a whole decides for a new trade agreement with the UK, that's fine (See? Unity), but I think they won't since the EU has strong motivation to slap back the UK.
French know this will happen, so they don't do that.
Wait until Berlin replaces London as an economic hub.
Economic war will ensue and we'll all lose.
When negotiating, you never let a position of power go to waste.
Although with the plummeting pound British stuff might still manage to be as cheap. Only now 4.5% of British exports will be going into European hands instead of British.
This is a lose-lose. Everyone suffers. Trade with the UK will go down, and both the EU and the UK will be poorer.
Difference is that the EU has 10 times the population of the UK. And the EU has political disincentives to keep this breakup civil.
The "migrants" are already working on it.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3651956/Hundreds-mig...
HA! Negotiate. If Britain want to shoot itself in the foot and unsettle the world economy, it can do so on its own. The EU need not concede on anything. Why should they, given that Britain won't be a voting member in a couple years. If I were France I would start bricking up the chunnel tomorrow.