The net contributors to the EU budget were the ones who stood to lose the most. Viewed in strictly economic terms, it is not surprising that Great Britain would not give up its rebate, while France would reject attempts to cut farm subsidies.
批评家也许会说，新成员可以承受这种让步，因为他们无论如何将会在欧盟获得丰厚的补贴。欧盟预算的捐助人是那些承受了最多损失的国家。从严峻的经济形势来看，英国不愿意放弃它的返款、法国反对削减农业补贴之举并不令人吃惊，