Brexit Britain launches Canada free trade deal talks in bid to focus on 'faster-growing' parts of world

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
HENRY NICHOLLS
Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 24/03/2022

- 15:34

The UK and Canada are looking to deepen their trading relationship, worth more than £19bn in 2020

The UK and Canada are today launching negotiations on a new free trade agreement.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan is meeting her counterpart Mary Ng to launch the talks and strengthen the trading relationship between the two nations.


At present, trade between Canada and the UK is worth over £19billion in 2020.

The new agreement is expected to deepen the relationship in areas like innovation, digital, data, the environment and women’s economic empowerment.

The UK is Canada’s third largest trading partner, behind the US and China - Canadian demand for imports is projected to grow by 45 percent by 2035.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “The UK and Canada are close friends and international allies who believe in the value that free and fair trade brings to livelihoods and communities.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade arrives in Downing Street.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade arrives in Downing Street.
James Manning

“Our trading relationship with Canada was worth over £19billion a year in 2020 and there is huge potential to strengthen and grow trade between our two countries."

She went on: "We want a new deal for the 21st century – one that will boost our thriving services sector, promote higher standards of living and act as a beacon for others to follow in its world-leading commitments on climate change and women’s economic empowerment.”

In a statement, the Department for International Trade said: "Negotiating a new agreement with Canada is also a vital part of our plan to build new trade routes for the UK’s services and digital economies and to refocus British trade on the faster-growing parts of the world."

The opening round of negotiations is due to start next week.

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