Britain to open immediate Brexit trade talks with Australia and South Korea
Business Secretary Sajid Javid says UK is 'open for business' despite the economy's post-referendum slump
BRITAIN is set for immediate trade talks with Australia and South Korea – the Business Secretary revealed yesterday.
Sajid Javid said senior politicians in both countries had called for deals in the past 48 hours as he insisted the UK was “open for business”.
And sources said that both Canada and India have separately approached the Foreign Office for talks following last week’s Brexit vote.
New Zealand Premier John Key over the weekend said he may rip up travel plans to fly to Britain in the coming months to discuss a trade deal.
The huge boost came as Siemens said it was putting its wind power investment plans in the UK on hold and Visa warned it could move hundreds of jobs to Europe in the wake of last week’s ‘Out’ vote.
But France’s economy minister Emmanuel Macron insisted the Brexit vote would have “no consequences” on the £18 billion Hinkley Point power plant being developed by French energy giant EDF.
Speaking yesterday Mr Javid told businesses thinking of ditching investment that they may regret “hasty decisions”.
And he pointed out that Chinese telecoms giant Huawei had confirmed that a planned £1.3 billion investment in the UK would be going ahead.
In a statement following a meeting with business chiefs, Mr Javid said: “My message for them was very clear, Britain is open for business.
“Yes, the financial markets are still reacting to the result.
“But the fundamental facts remain unchanged.”
Mr Javid- who backed staying in the EU – added: “This government is still 100 per cent committed to making the UK the best place in Europe to start and grow a business.”
Brexit bosses insisted during the EU Referendum campaign that world leaders would beat down a door to do free trade deals with Britain if it voted Out.
David Cameron insisted that by leaving the single market, Britain faced tariffs on imports and a tortuous decade negotiating new agreements.
Mr Javid yesterday said Trade Minister Lord Price had been in contact with many of the biggest investors in Britain.
And he said the former Waitrose boss would be visiting key markets such as China, Hong Kong and Brazil.
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The CBI last night urged the Government to keep key infrastructure projects and spending decisions on track.
And CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn called any Brexit settlement to ensure companies maintained “tariff and barrier free access” to the single market.