With 46 days to go until Brexit, Liam Fox finally gets a trade deal

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire - Credit: PA

With 46 days to go until Brexit Liam Fox has finally secured a transitional trade agreement with one of the UK’s trading partners to allow for business as usual – with many, many more left to sort.

International trade secretary Liam Fox said the agreement would provide a ‘solid foundation’ for a post-Brexit trading relationship.

Trade with Switzerland is worth around £32 billion a year and the rollover of the arrangements come as Dr Fox is under pressure to secure continuity for other existing EU deals.

The Brexiteer said: ‘Switzerland is one of the most valuable trading partners that we are seeking continuity for, accounting for more than £32 billion worth of trade a year.

‘This is of huge economic importance to UK businesses so I’m delighted to be here in Bern today, ensuring continuity for 15,000 British exporters.

‘Not only will this help to support jobs throughout the UK but it will also be a solid foundation for us to build an even stronger trading relationship with Switzerland as we leave the EU.’

Back in 2017 the Brexiteer and disgraced former defence minister declared confidently that a trade deal with the European Union would be ‘one of the easiest in human history’.

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn has described the failure to secure continuity of other trade deals as an ’emergency’, particularly in relation to South Korea and the new Japan agreement.

‘The prospect is the day after Brexit those deals will disappear,’ she told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday.