Britain hopes for trade deal with Australia after Brexit

Britain hopes for trade deal with Australia after Brexit

Britain’s Trade Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday she expects to complete a wide-ranging trade deal with Australia within months of exiting the European Union.

In efforts to reduce the economic impact of Brexit, the government is looking to line up a series of trade deals with other countries outside of the European Union.

Truss – who is currently in the middle of a three-nation tour that includes Australia, New Zealand, and Japan – said she expects a quick conclusion to the trade talks that will commence after Britain leaves the EU.

“The reason I have chosen to make Australia one of the first countries I have visited as trade secretary is because it is an absolute priority to get on with this trade deal,” Truss told reporters in Canberra. “I would say months rather than years for it to be completed.”

Australia’s Minister of Trade, Simon Birmingham said a trade deal with Britain will particularly benefit the country’s agricultural sector.

“As part of the EU, market access to Britain in terms of agricultural products has been limited,” Birmingham told reporters. “This is something we will look forward to address.”