ANOTHER Scottish independence referendum is "only a matter of time", according to a US finance magazine.

In an article titled "'Getting Brexit done' was a bullish deal – for Europe", the TradeSmith website hit out at the way Boris Johnson has handled leaving the EU.

It said: "The Johnson Government wanted to give the impression that Brexit was wrapped up and over, having finally come to a deal. The reality is closer to the opposite, due to all the negotiating still left to be done."

It went on to say that a Scotland could rejoin the EU after independence and Northern Ireland could rejoin after returning to Ireland.

"To the extent that EU-related banking and finance activity migrates away from London, and toward the financial centers of Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, the EU economy will be strengthened; and if Scotland and Northern Ireland cross over to the EU, its economic heft and clout will be strengthened further," it added.

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The piece also outlined potential benefits for the EU after Brexit, saying: "The EU will have the chance to “take back control” (to use another BoJo campaign phrase) of Europe-related banking activity and financial services, with activity now concentrated in London dispersing to the continental finance hubs of Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.

"The EU will also have an easier time making policy and coming to important decisions, as the UK had long been the member most likely to kick up a fuss and go its own way."

TradeSmith said support for independence is "already strong" and that it is "only a matter of time" before indyref2 as post-indy Scotland can rejoin the EU "immediately".

It went on: "The Johnson Government will also have to deal with increasing feelings of frustration and resentment in Scotland, where an independence streak is already strong.

"When Scotland held an independence referendum on Sept. 18, 2014, the measure was voted down by a margin of 55.3% “no” to 44.7% “yes.”

"But the proposal then involved Scotland going its own way as an independent country, because the UK was part of the EU at the time. When another referendum comes up, which seems only a matter of time, Scots will have the added cushion of knowing they’ll be able to join the EU immediately."

With “don’t knows” removed, ­support for independence is at 58%, according to the Savanta ComRes polling company in December last year – the same figure was seen in an Ipsos MORI poll back in October. Including the “don’t knows” the poll shows Yes on 52% and No on 38%.

READ MORE: Independence support hits 58 per cent with SNP majority at Holyrood on cards

TradeSmith predicts Northern Ireland "will move in the same direction" as Scotland and become a United Ireland with the republic in a post-Brexit economic decline. 

A poll by LucidTalk from October last year found 43% of 18-24 year olds in Northern Ireland would definitely vote to leave the UK, compared to 34% who would support remaining. Among 25-44 year olds the gap was even more pronounced with 42% to 29% strongly in favour of Irish unity.

"Merging with Ireland, already an E.U. member, would make Northern Ireland a part of a much larger whole," TradeSmith added.

"As these and other realities sink in, BoJo is going to have his work cut out for him. The overall outlook for Europe, at least, looks more bullish now than before."

The article also referenced the issues many industries are facing with customs arrangements due to Brexit.

Following the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31, new rules around trade between the UK and EU came into force.

The National reported last week that some fishing and seafood companies complained on social media that the export arrangements are a “shambles”.

READ MORE: Scots seafood industry lashes out at Tory Brexit 'shambles'

The Scottish Seafood Association, which represents processors, says exports to the EU are already being hit by unnecessary delays.

While little disruption was reported in the early days of the new arrangements, the volume of cross-border trade is expected to increase.

When the border with France was closed in December due to the new coronavirus strain emerging in the UK, the association warned that perishable seafood could go to waste if it was stuck in transit.

READ MORE: 'A challenging 72 hours': Scottish seafood industry still dealing with Brexit chaos

The TradeSmith article continued: "In exchange for jammed-up trade lanes and piles of new paperwork, the UK is being paid in sovereignty, meaning that UK citizens will now have the ability to feel more sovereign than before.

"This feeling of sovereignty is not tangible without a translation to some kind of policy advantage, but for many who voted for Brexit, the feeling alone seems worth a large economic cost."