A representational image of Britain s flag. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The UK is seeking to forge closer trade links with Pacific Rim nations and Southeast Asia as part of its efforts to diversify economic partners post-Brexit.
As the Brexit transition period nears its end on December 31, 2020, the UK is redoubling its efforts to negotiate roll over trade agreements to replace those the EU bloc had negotiated or strike new deals to avoid disruptions to commerce from January 1.
The UK and Vietnam said on Friday that they had finalized a bilateral free trade agreement, a day after London inked a similar pact with Singapore.
The UK welcomes the Ottawa Group’s Trade and Health Initiative
A statement from the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss welcoming the Ottawa Group s Trade and Health Initiative.
From:
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said:
Coronavirus has shown us the importance of keeping trade flowing and building diverse supply chains that are robust in a crisis.
As we take every step to combat this virus, I am delighted to announce the UK’s support for the Ottawa Group’s Trade and Health Initiative at the WTO.
My department has worked tirelessly to reduce barriers to trade and support businesses in the UK and overseas to navigate the crisis as well as help source over 30 billion items of PPE and medical equipment, including thousands of ventilators from across the globe to be shipped and delivered to the front line.
| UPDATED: 22:44, Tue, Dec 15, 2020
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson put an agreement with the US at the heart of his plans to revive the UK after Brexit. However, Britain’s hopes of securing a trade deal have recently been dashed following a warning from Joe Biden, the President-elect, that Washington will not sign anything with anyone until the US has sorted out its competitiveness. The UK had been closing in on a trade deal with Donald Trump’s administration but Mr Biden said in a New York Times intervi