Liam Fox finally gets a transitional trade deal - 963 days since Brexit vote
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.
You may also want to watch:
'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'.
Most Read
- 1 Former Tory speaker admits voting Labour after labeling Boris Johnson a 'liar'
- 2 Liz Truss accused of freeports 'catastrophic blunder' following Brexit deals
- 3 Britons living in Spain refused Covid jab 'due to Brexit', report claims
- 4 The truth about 'buy British'
- 5 Downing Street announces plans to change English voting system following string of Labour victories
- 6 MP insists he will 'earn every penny' after becoming council leader too
- 7 Tories could push for 2023 general election after axing key legislation
- 8 How Brexit dealt a hammer blow to diplomatic relations
- 9 A view from inside the Heathrow petri dish
- 10 Could Mexican Coke spark a new Coca-Cola cold war?
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.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
