New Zealand committed to securing ‘high-quality’ free trade deal with post-Brexit Britain says its PM Bill English
Theresa May’s Kiwi counterpart says he wants to thrash out an agreement ‘as soon as possible’ once Britain quits the EU
NEW ZEALAND is committed to securing a “high-quality” free trade deal with post-Brexit Britain, its Prime Minister Bill English has confirmed.
Theresa May’s Kiwi counterpart praised her "clarity and determination" and said he wanted to thrash out an agreement “as soon as possible” once Britain quits the EU.
Mr English appeared with the UK’s PM in a press conference at Downing Street this afternoon following a working lunch.
The pair said their two countries agreed on the potential for a "bold" new trading relationship after Brexit, with Mrs May adding they have a "strong and growing" trading relationship worth more than £3billion a year.
Mr English said the two nations were "natural partners", adding: "We are ready to negotiate a high quality trade agreement with the UK when it is in a position to do so."
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will visit the Commonwealth nation in the coming months to begin a bilateral dialogue between the two nations with the ultimate aim of striking a trade deal.
The small Oceanic country of less than five million people is believed to be seen in Government circles as one of the best prospects for an early trade deal once Britain quits the EU.
New Zealand is also one of the global "five eyes" partners who share their security intelligence with the UK, along with the US, Canada and Australia.
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Mrs May went on: "As two island nations we know that trade is essential to the prosperity of our countries and so it's natural that we share a firm, deep-rooted belief in the power of free trade and open markets to drive economic progress and the importance of ensuring the benefits of growth are shared widely and fairly.
"While the UK remains in the EU we will work together to support an EU-New Zealand trade deal and we will also look to the future and how we can expand our trade and investment partnership.
"Through our new bilateral trade dialogue, we will push for greater global trade liberalisation and reform, share expertise, and identify ways to strengthen our own trade relationship.
"And the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will visit New Zealand in the coming months to launch these important talks.
"In the longer term we agree on the potential for a bold, new UK-New Zealand free trade agreement and I look forward to starting early discussions on this in due course."
Nigel Farage tweeted after the press conference: “Pleased that Theresa May is talking about a free trade deal with New Zealand but we can't allow the EU to hold us back forever.”
But Lib Dem boss Tim Farron said it showed "warped thinking" at the heart of a divisive Government.
He said: "It is important to put this all in context. May is heralding a free trade deal with a country of around 4.5 million people, whilst pulling up the drawbridge on a market of over 500 million.
"The government talk about Adam Smith, free trade and openness and then blindly yank us out of our biggest market, taking a protectionist stance. It is madness."