Business Secretary Greg Clark unveils plans to strike up Brexit trade deal free from red tape
Minister said key Brexit objective was to strike up a bespoken trade deal with the EU
BREXIT Britain will aim high for a bespoke trade deal with the EU free from all tariffs and red tape, it was revealed yesterday.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said ministers would enter into talks seeking continued access to the markets of Europe, and vice versa.
He said any deals should be “without tariffs or bureaucratic impediments”.
It was the biggest hint yet what No.10 wants from the EU.
He spoke of his deal to persuade Nissan to remain in Sunderland with offers of funds for training, research and relocation to the firm and other car makers.
He told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show: “I was able to reassure Nissan, and other manufacturer, that is the way we are going to approach it.”
Mr Clark also suggested that there could be different deals for different trade sectors. He said: “If you conduct the negotiations in a serious, constructive and civilised way there’s a lot in common we can establish.”
RELATED STORIES
Labour MPs blasted Mr Clark for failing to tell them of Brexit trade plans before disclosing them on TV.
They are to table a Commons debate today to probe ministers further on any details.
It came as Canada and the EU finally signed a trade deal that was seven years in the making.
Theresa May welcomed the tariff-reducing agreement saying: “The UK has long been a powerful and positive force for free trade.
“Indeed, I want Britain to be the global champion for free trade, recognising the opportunities of such trade deals for businesses and customers around the world.”
Last night Change Britain, the pro-Brexit group founded by Michael Gove, said 14 countries already want to sign new free trade deals.
They include China, Brazil, India and Australia. It said their economies are worth £14trillion in total, twice that of the nations with which the EU has trade deals.