Brits Fear Trump and Create Their Own Payment Card: 'We're Not as Dumb as Riga with That Swedbank'

While Riga is still figuring out how to merge three banks into one big mess, the Brits are already planning their own national payment system. The reason? They're afraid that Donald Trump might cut off their Visa and Mastercard in a nervous moment.

'If Mastercard and Visa payment systems were cut off, we'd go back to the 1950s,' says some British bank executive. Well, at our Liepāja market they still pay cash for carrots, so the 50s are nothing new to us. But for the Brits, this thought seems terrifying.

The February 19th meeting will be led by some guy named Wim Maru from Barclays. A name like it's from Karosta - real, no frills. He'd probably be a good guy to have a beer with at our waterfront. They plan to implement the new system by 2030, which by Liepāja standards is faster than a tram repair.

The best part is that Visa and Mastercard themselves are participating in this initiative, 'appreciatively evaluating the competition.' That's like saying - 'Yes, yes, make your own competitor, we support you!' In Liepāja we call that diplomacy, but it actually means - 'We'll crush you anyway.'

Meanwhile, Riga is still thinking whether to join this British system or stick with the good old 'pay with card and hope the power doesn't go out.'