I still think we cut a trade deal with Britain as soon as Brexit is done. I might even favor cheating a little bit and having the nuts and bolts in place before. The easiest way may be just to let them into NAFTA or whatever we are calling the new NAFTA.

I’d give very serious consideration to doing some sort of deal with the whole Commonwealth, maybe even some kind of associate membership, although I would never ever consider recognizing the Queen as having any rule over us. We fought and won that war 240 years ago.

I can see where a trade deal with the whole Commonwealth could be very much in our self-interest. I could also see a defense treaty. We are pretty much stuck in the world policeman role until somebody steps up to take over at least part of it. There has been some discussion in professional military journals about uniting the Commonwealth armed forces—basically recreate what existed prior to WWII. A united Commonwealth navy would easily be the second strongest in the world, and in overall military terms no worse than third or forth. That would be a force that we could hand off some commitments to—UK in Europe, India in the IO, Australia and Singapore and Canada in the Pacific. I think it would be worth pursuing.

Plus it would be fun for our athletes to get to compete in the Commonwealth Games.