WTO boss says ‘no deal’ Brexit would be ‘perfectly manageable’ for trade
Trade Secretary Liam Fox added 'While we clearly want a free-trade agreement with our friends in the EU, using WTO rules is entirely manageable'
BRITAIN has nothing to fear from a “no deal” Brexit, the world’s leading diplomat declared yesterday.
Roberto Azevedo insisted trading with the EU under World Trade Organisation rules was “perfectly manageable”.
The director general of the WTO made the welcome intervention as EU officials turned the heat up on Theresa May in a bid to get Britain to up its divorce bill.
Speaking from the WTO HQ in Geneva Mr Azevedo said: “It is not the end of the world if the UK trades under WTO rules with the EU.
“Around half of the UK’s existing trade is already on WTO terms – with the US, China and several large emerging nations where the EU doesn’t have trade agreements.”
His declaration comes in stark contrast to doom-mongering Remainers who claim trading under WTO rules would be “disastrous” for British firms.
The Brazilian career diplomat went on: “If you don’t have a fully-functioning free-trade agreement with the EU, there could be some rigidities and costs introduced into that trading relationship .
“But it’s not like that trade is going to stop. There will be an impact, but it is perfectly manageable”.
Last night the trade expert’s comments were warmly welcomed by the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.
He said: “Far from the doomsday predictions given by some, if the UK trades under WTO rules with the EU, as Roberto Azevedo has said, that will be perfectly workable.
No deal on Irish border
LIAM Fox ramped up tensions with Ireland by insisting there would be no decision on the Northern Irish border until the final Brexit deal is signed off.
The International Trade Secretary slammed the EU for its “obsession” with ever closer union.
Under pressure Irish PM Leo Varadkar has demanded a written guarantee there will be no hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland and threatened to veto Brexit trade talks.
EU officials have warned trade talks cannot begin until an agreement is reached.
Speaking on a trade trip to New Zealand, Dr Fox said there could be no final position until Britain knew what the “end state” of the relationship would be after Brexit.
One Irish MEP accused the UK of “holding the Irish situation to ransom”.
“While we clearly want a free-trade agreement with our friends in the EU, using WTO rules is entirely manageable.”
“My department is a firm supporter of the WTO and, as Britain becomes an independent trading nation once again, we will be one of the world’s strongest advocates for further trade liberalisation and modernisation.”