As the UK and Australia continue post-Brexit trade talks, the British government has confirmed its ambitions for a deal that will include the abolition of tariffs and free movement of people.
Written by James Skinner
The UK’s International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, will tell MPs later this week that the government is intensifying talks with Australia to finalize a comprehensive trade deal.
The “gold standard” trade deal will wipe out tariffs on numerous products and services between the two countries, including food and drink, financial services, telecommunications, vehicles and technology.
The government has also confirmed that the second round of talks, set to begin this month, will include provisions for the free movement of people and professionals between Australia and the UK.
A Whitehall source on Saturday night said both sides were optimistic a deal can be struck before the end of the year, with the UK also hoping to conclude a deal with New Zealand and Japan in the same time frame.
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“We want a gold standard deal with Australia that pushes new frontiers in trade and delivers for the whole country,” said Truss. “Together with our great friend Australia, we will stand up for rules-based free trade and help advance it globally.”
The announcement comes days after pro-CANZUK former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, was appointed as the UK’s new Board of Trade President to secure post-Brexit trade deals around the world.
“I hope that we can very swiftly do a free trade deal with a post-Brexit Britain, and frankly, it ought to be a one-page free trade deal,” he said via live video-link in July. “There should be free movement of people, for work not welfare…a lot of great Britons were born in Australia and a lot of great Australians were born in Britain, and long may that continue to be the case.”
CANZUK International welcomes the UK government’s announcement and will continue to work with British MPs and ensure that free movement and trade with Canada, Australia and New Zealand are priority objectives with any post-Brexit deals.
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