Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/816087
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 M AY 1 , 2 0 1 7 F O C U S G L O B A L E C O N O M Y $14 million in equipment installation, maintenance and repair; $13 million in management and consulting services; and $12 million in insurance services. Campaign rhetoric and bluster As for how trading partners and inves- tors in Europe view the United States since the new administration took offi ce, O'Connell of OCO Global says in an email to Mainebiz that after the initial election shock, "investors see that the campaign rhetoric was mostly bluster and he is pro business and trade … the pipe- line of enquiries for U.S. investment is getting stronger, especially from the UK. So in short, the United States looks more attractive under new administration." ere are some obstacles in trade between the EU and Maine, he writes, especially regulations on agriculture and food, whic h can be more problematic than import tariff s. e lack of direct air service and limited shipping lines is also a disadvantage. Strong sectors for trade are technology and business services. Like Cross and Tripodi, he sees good opportunities for trade with Maine and the United States in general post-Brexit. " e UK will likely experience sig- nifi cant economic damage as a result of Brexit and there will be capital fl ight. e government is pushing UK com- panies to explore other markets and United States is a top priority. Maine is attractive as a manageable and more aff ordable bridgehead to the Northeast and vast U.S. market," O'Connell says. He adds, " ere are opportunities to establish an incubator for new-to- market UK fi rms, and we are discussing these initiatives with MITC. However, it will take many years for the UK to reach new trade agreements." L V, Mainebiz senior writer / c o n t e n t s p e c i a l i s t , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . and @LV Harriet Cross, Britain's Consul General to New England, says Brexit could present trade opportunities. The Boston-based consul is pictured in front of British clothier's Fat Face's fi rst U.S. location, Portland's Old Port. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y H A R R I E T C RO S S