Brexit trade chief Liam Fox confirms plans to take back control of policy from Brussels
Liam Fox said the plans will be revealed in the Queen's speech
BREXIT trade chief Dr Liam Fox yesterday confirmed plans to take back control of trade policy from Brussels – as revealed by The Sun.
Challenged by Labour on our exclusive, the Trade Secretary signalled a new law was coming in the Queen’s Speech that would transfer the power to collect tariffs back to Britain.
The move will also make Britain ready to strike new trade deals from the day we leave the EU.
Mr Fox said the “very important” bill would be accompanied with a “consultative process so that stakeholders would be able to make their views known”.
Asked about the plans in the Commons yesterday, he added: “I think it’s important that we do that in a very collegiate way because I think that is the way to maintain and maximise confidence.”
The move is seen as another ratcheting up in the war of words with Brussels ahead of formal Brexit negotiations.
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It will show EU leaders that Britain is ready to slap tariffs on goods they sell.
And the Bill - to be included in the Government’s legislative agenda for the year next 12 months - will show the Prime Minister’s threat to walk away from talks without a new UK-EU trade deal is no bluff.
Brussels currently negotiates trade deals and collects tariffs for Britain but the law will transfer that power back.
Import levies could be raised to protect British firms or cut to make imported products cheaper for consumers. The law will help brand Mrs May’s Brexit plan ‘Global Britain’.
EU rules ban Britain from signing new trade deals with any other country but Dr Fox has already lined up more than a dozen countries for new trading agreements for after we leave.
Earlier this year Mrs May and Donald Trump signed a formal deal to launch trade talks.
The new trade law could be one of up to 15 Brexit bills in this year’s Queen’s Speech.