John Baron MP welcomes first steps on Australia and New Zealand trade negotiations

MP: trade agreements could be stepping stone to CPTPP

The Government has today published preparatory documents for its forthcoming trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. These include the Government’s negotiating objectives, public consultation responses and a scoping assessment of the long-term economic impacts of trade agreements with these two countries.

John said,

“Despite our close and historic links to both Australia and New Zealand, we have never had a proper free trade agreement with either. Such agreements could increase British exports to Australia and New Zealand by £1 billion, particularly benefitting the beverage and automotive industries, along with professional services, and would be to our mutual benefit. As ever, the UK remains committed to upholding our high environmental, labour, food safety and animal welfare standards.”

“Along with trade talks with Japan, free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand could also be a stepping stone towards membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In 2019 the UK had more than £110 billion of trade with the 11 countries in this group, and there is scope to diversify and deepen our trade links now we have left the European Union.”