DRAGGING ON
Liam Fox signals Brexit transitional deal could last to 2022 keeping Britain under EU rules for extra 3 years
He previously said it could last a ‘few months’ but now suggests it should be wrapped up by next General Election
BRITAIN’S Brexit transition deal could last until 2022, the International Trade Secretary revealed yesterday.
Speaking yesterday from the US where he is due to sit down for trade talks, Liam Fox said any deal should be wrapped up by the next general election.
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The arch-Brexiteer had previously said he wanted measures lasting a “few months”.
But yesterday he insisted the transition period was “not a huge deal” – but shouldn’t “drag on”.
He told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “Having waited for over 40 years to leave the European Union, 24 months would be a rounding error. It’s not a huge deal and neither is it an ideological one.
“I think we would want to get it out of the way before the election, I don’t think people would want to have it dragging on.”
It came as he arrived into Washington to meet US trade representative Robert Lighthizer for two days of talks.
EU rules mean the UK cannot sign a deal until after it has quit the bloc but talks at the first UK-US trade working group will pave the way for a future free trade agreement.
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He said: “The first meeting of the UK-US trade and investment working group is the start of the next chapter in our special relationship.
“Although it’s too early to say exactly what would be covered in a potential deal, the working group is the means to ensure we get to know each other’s issues and identify areas where we can work together to strengthen trade and investment ties.”
Free market think tank the Adam Smith Institute has urged ministers to ditch a ban on imports of chlorinated chicken to help reach a speedy trade deal.
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Experts said American chickens are more than a fifth cheaper than British ones.
And it warned poultry market access is likely to be a take-it-or-leave-it condition of an agreement between the UK and US.
Free market think tank the Adam Smith Institute has urged ministers to ditch a ban on imports of chlorinated chicken to help reach a speedy trade deal.
Experts said American chickens are more than a fifth cheaper than British ones.
And it warned poultry market access is likely to be a take-it-or-leave-it condition of an agreement between the UK and US.
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