Brexit is not that important, except for the uncertainty that it has created in the short term and as a sign of unrest and dissatisfaction with the status quo in certain sections of British society.
The uncertainty will pass. People have short attention spans and they crave stability.
The initial response in the EU was to come down hard on the UK to discourage other countries from leaving. But finally there is a purpose to the EU, trade, and there is too much trade between the UK and the EU for there to be any meaningful separation between them. It will be on paper only, like it is currently between the EU and Switzerland and Norway, membership in the EU in all respects but name.
Ironically, the only thing that the UK will give up is one of the main things that the Brexit was suppose to provide to them, control over the regulations that the EU applies to trade and to trade goods. The UK will still be forced to follow the regulations but will lose any say in the writing of the regulations.
There is no reason to think that situation with immigration will change because of the Brexit either. The UK right now controls their own immigration. They never accepted EU controls over immigration. Whatever EU immigration type policies that the UK has right now are British policies that are written into British law. The UK doesn't have to leave the EU to change their immigration policies.
If the UK trades with China or the US, then the goods it exports will be subject to local import duties and possible restrictions on certain goods. Likewise it affects goods being imported to the UK. Frequently they can make trade deals by giving each other some concessions. This is something done by mutual exchange.
For instance all goods imported into China that bear Eu conformity such as electrical appliances are subject to import tariffs. This is because some Chinese manufacturers specialize in goods to the same standard, both for export and import.
Even if the goods made in China to Eu standard are re imported they are subject to tax. For instance where air conditioning units were installed in porta cabins fabricated outside of China but then imported in for installation on a production facility.
Britain will always require skills from abroad but within its reason, otherwise this will but strains on education, healthcare, housing and other public services, and pricing of low-skilled British labour out of the market.
Europe has allowed a free flow of migrants through its member states, through Europe and little has been done to block those boarding trucks or trains in the English Channel. I don’t see a great problem in general for migration. From experience in working abroad on contract, work permits are available and do not cause such a problem.
Since Merkel invited huge amounts into Germany and where in some cases checks were non existent (as many refused to give dates of birth and had no ID), you can’t blame economic migrants who want a better life abroad from taking advantage of such limp policies.
Britain can, however make its own laws which cannot be overturned in an EU court. It has a current trade deficit with Europe where it is importing more than it exports, but it will further increase its markets abroad.
In the hands of the main two political parties however, much of the potential gains from Brexit would be watered down through careless economic policies. It seems that Teresa May, if she becomes prime minister will not dither on the leave process like some of her other colleagues. Nonetheless this will take time as a lot of interconnected issues will be discussed to seek mutual benefit.
