Hopes of securing a post-Brexit free trade deal with Canada were given a boost today after trade secretary Liz Truss announced the UK had kickstarted discussions.
“Trade talks with Canada have commenced,” Truss wrote in a tweet. “The aim is to provide continuity for businesses by the end of the transition period.
“Both the UK and Canada are committed to protecting & strengthening our £19.7bn trading relationship.”
Canada withdrew from trade talks early last year after the UK outlined a temporary regime that would have cut tariffs on almost all imports.
But the government revised its tariff strategy in May, putting a deal back on the table. Ministers are hoping to reach an agreement by the end of the year.
It follows negotiations over free trade agreements [FTAs] with Australia and New Zealand, which commenced back in June.
More than £21bn worth of goods and services were traded between UK businesses and both countries last year.
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