Best of the best! David Davis reveals vision for Brexit trade deal with EU
BBC Brexit Secretary David Davis
Mr Davis said he thought a substantive trade deal can be struck within a year but his vision of a Canada-style deal highlights Cabinet divisions. Other ministers such as Philip Hammond support a Norway-style deal which leaves Britain more aligned with the EU. Mr Davis said he wanted to see an “over-arching trade deal” based on Canada’s free trade treaty with the European Union but including services.
GETTY David Davis, Theresa May and their EU counterparts
We will probably start with the best of Canada, the best of Japan and the best of South Korea David Davis
It would set out “individual arrangements for aviation, nuclear and for data”, as well, he said, describing it as “Canada plus plus plus”. He said: “All we want is a bespoke outcome. We will probably start with the best of Canada, the best of Japan and the best of South Korea. “And then add to that the bits that are missing – which are the services.” Mr Davis said the odds against leaving the EU with no deal had “dropped dramatically”.
And he has also rowed back on comments he made over he weekend in which he appeared to suggest Mrs May’s last-minute deal with Brexit deal with Brussels was merely a “statement of intent” and not legally binding. The remarks ruffled feathers in Brussels and Irish capital Dublin where ministers were unhappy with his view on the assurances about the Irish border given by the UK government. But speaking ob LBC today, the Brexit Secretary said: “What I actually said was that we want to protect the peace process, we want to protect Ireland from the impact of Brexit for them. “And I said this was a statement of intent which was much more than just legally enforceable. In other words, of course it is legally enforceable under the withdrawal agreement.
Brexit negotiations continue, live pictures Fri, December 8, 2017 Britain and the EU reached a historic deal on December 8 on the terms of the Brexit divorce after the British Prime Minister rushed to Brussels for early morning talks Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 14 David Davis and EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier attend a press conference by Theresa May