Britain in POLE POSITION to secure ‘preferential’ post-Brexit trade deal
GETTY The Ceta deal could provide a fantastic platform for British trade negotiations post Brexit
We start with a strong base because we already have Ceta Canadian Minister for International Trade, François-Philippe Champagne
Long criticised by left-wing remoaners the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) with Canada, will be voted on by the European Parliament.
Mr Champagne, believes the UK is in a powerful position, as he claimed: “We start with a strong base because we already have Ceta.
“One would expect it to be easier for the UK to have preferential market access with Canada if it managed to inherit the complicated negotiations that have been going on for a number of years and, let’s remember, that the UK played an integral part in.”
Ceta would eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs between the EU and Canada. It would have far-reaching impacts for British businesses. The deal would make it far easier for British companies to send specialists and experts between Canada and the UK.
GETTY Fox and Davis are hopeful that Ceta will aid future trade deals
Importantly the deal does not include the free movement of people and does not pay any money to the European Commission.
David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, said: “We can pick up the almost complete agreement between the EU and Canada, and if anything liberalise it.”
GETTY EU MEPS will vote to ratify Ceta later today
If MEPS vote to ratify the deal then trade specialists agree it will enable Britain to fast-track negotiations with Canada.
Liam Fox, Britain’s International Trade Secretary, said in January: “(A future) three-way trading and investment alliance between Canada, the UK and the USA is vitally important not only to our own prosperity, but to the stability of the free trading world.”
He pointed out that Ceta is worth around £1.3billion a year to the UK, and some £7.3billion from the EU to Canada.
Lourde Catrain, from the law firm Hogan Lovells, said: “One would expect it to be easier for the UK to have preferential market access with Canada if it managed to inherit the complicated negotiations that have been going on for a number of years and, let’s remember, that the UK played an integral part in.”
EU summit 2016: EU leaders meet Fri, October 21, 2016 EU Leaders meet to discuss migration, trade and Russia, including its role in Syria, it will be also the first summit attended by new British Prime Minister Theresa May. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 29 Italy's Prime minister Matteo Renzi (L) speaks with Luxembourg's Prime minister Xavier Bettel during the second day of an European Union leaders summit