Tell you what, let's stop all state visits eh?

That way, we will have to rely on trade based on merit rather than playing on the twee yet convenient view that others have of us?

Back in the '70s, we were known for Rolls Royces, yet the reality was British Leyland and Red Robbo. Only our reputation based on James Watt, I K Brunel and others kept our exports up.

Come the '80s and I was trying to sell British engineering overseas. Describing Big Ben to a dude in Chicago was a hell of a lot easier than explaining our workmanship and prices in order to get business.

State visits never cost money, but by heck they make them. Trade deals always accompany them. In case anybody forgot, we have a government who may make decisions that clash with many peoples' views, but if there is to be any recovery at all, they are gambling on the private sector leading it.

And that means trade.

And that means persuading the USA to stop being so protectionist and open up markets.

And that means state visits.