A quick bilateral trade deal between Canada and the United Kingdom will be ‘better’ than EU/Canada arrangements, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Prime Minister Trudeau told press Monday they had agreed to a “seamless” transition of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada after the UK leaves the EU, but said the two countries could make “improvements”.
Mr. Trudeau said Canada was ready and waiting to trade freely with the UK, which is the country’s biggest export partner in Europe.
He said: “But at the same time we know there is in place CETA. As the UK has demonstrated time and time again its support for this trade measure, we will be able to move forward in a way that benefits in a smooth transition that keeps the essence of CETA applicable to the UK in ways that will respect the EU’s requirements and rules.
“The UK is the largest partner Canada has. CETA will form the basis for the way we move forward in a post-Brexit Europe.
“We are very confident we will be able to continue the strong trade ties and relationship with the UK throughout the period of transition.”
Trudeau said “improvements” could be made to the deal to suit both the UK and Canada, saying: “CETA is not fully aligned with Canada and the UK’s priorities [but it acts] as a strong basis for a smooth transition.”
Mrs. May said: “I am pleased that we have agreed today that CETA should be swiftly transitioned to form a new bilateral arrangement between the UK and Canada after Brexit.
“As staunch champions of the power of free trade to grow our economies, Canada and the UK will also work together at the World Trade Organisation to promote and spread the benefits of free trade.”
Defying the Remain-backed ‘Project Fear’ which predicted that Britain would be weakened outside of the EU in terms of trade arrangements, several countries outside of Europe have expressed strong desires to make bilateral trade deals with the UK once the country extricates herself from the bloc.
At G20 in July, United States President Donald Trump said he will be “going to London” to sign a “very big deal a very powerful deal… and I think we will have that done very, very quickly.”
Aside from Canada, fellow Commonwealth nations Australia and New Zealand are both looking for quick trade deals after Brexit, with the Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull saying Britain will have “big horizons and big opportunities” outside of the EU.
And last week, Breitbart London reported that EU commissioners have dismissed suggestions the UK will be at the back of the queue for a free trade deal with the bloc after Brexit.