“The only difference between the U.S. and a banana republic is we don’t grow bananas”
A “banana republic” is an unflattering criticism of a government. “The only difference between the United States (or some other country) and a banana republic is we don’t grow bananas” is a popular saying.
“When the FTA (Free Trade Agreement—ed.) is fully implemented, the only difference between Canada and a banana republic will be that we won’t grow bananas” was printed in the Edmonton (Alberta) Journal on December 6, 1988. “There is an old joke that the only difference between the UK and a banana republic is that the UK is not a republic and it doesn’t grow bananas” was posted on EconoTimes on September 5, 2019.
6 December 1988, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, “Letters,” pg. A7, col. 4:
When the FTA (Free Trade Agreement—ed.) is fully implemented, the only difference between Canada and a banana republic will be that we won’t grow bananas.
(...)
Joe Moelaert
Kelowna, B.C.
6 March 2009, Daily Mail (London, UK), “Straight to the Point,” pg. 66:
AFTER 11 years of Labour, the only difference between us and a banana republic is that we can’t grow bananas.
A. WOODHAMS, Tonbridge, Kent..
4 January 2010, FT.com, “Risks: What are the three main risks facing the economy? How concerned should people be? What should people stop worrying about?”:
Paul Mortimer-Lee, BNP Paribas
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More specifically: Q: What’s the difference between a banana republic and the UK? A: We can’t grow bananas and we are not a republic.
Twitter
t20racerman
@t20racerman
And they call this democracy? The only difference between the UK and a Banana republic is we don’t grow bananas :-(
Quote Tweet
Douglas Carswell
@DouglasCarswell
· Nov 25, 2015
Votes for UKIP: 3.8 million. Occasions stood up in Prime Ministers Questions: 33. Chances of getting called to speak: 0 #westminsterCartel
9:09 AM · Nov 25, 2015·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
GE
@ge2229617
Replying to @JBurtonXP and @onmessageforher
The only difference between a Banana Republic and what US government is fastly becoming, is we don’t grow bananas.
6:00 PM · Aug 27, 2016·Twitter Web App
Twitter
Tom Petruno
@tpetruno
Joke making the rounds in South America?
“What’s the difference between the U.S. and a banana republic?”
“The U.S. doesn’t grow bananas.”
9:23 PM · Nov 12, 2016·Twitter for iPhone
Twitter
Ian S
@iannlou
The only difference between the UK under BlueKip rule and a banana republic is our lack of a suitable climate to grow bananas.
Something Maybot and her evil minions are working hard to rectify.
4:22 PM · Nov 3, 2018·Twitter for Android
Twitter
Bob Allan
@Rastech919
Replying to @Rastech919 @Paula55855 and @ConstantinStHe1
The only difference between us and a Banana Republic now, is our inability to grow bananas. 😡
10:26 AM · May 23, 2019·Twitter for iPad
EconoTimes
FxWirePro: A Glance at EUR/USD vs EUR/GBP Trade Amid Geopolitical Drama
Thursday, September 5, 2019 12:09 PM UTC
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There is an old joke that the only difference between the UK and a banana republic is that the UK is not a republic and it doesn’t grow bananas. But the jokes are starting to wear thin.