Canada and the United Kingdom halt free trade negotiations
This is a new failure for British trade policy: after two years of negotiations, the United Kingdom and Canada have suspended their discussions with a view to a trade agreement. Talks break down over cheese, beef and cars.
Access for British cheese to the Canadian market and access for Canadian beef to the United Kingdom are major sticking points for these unbroken trade negotiations on January 25, 2024. Geography Photos/Universal Image - Geography Photos
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in London
,
Émeline Vin
London will not accept an agreement that is disadvantageous for the British and denounces the Canadian request to accept beef with hormones, which would represent unfair competition for British producers, according to negotiators.
The team of the British Minister for Trade, Kemi Badenoch, also criticizes the implementation of new customs duties of up to 245% on the Canadian side on cheddar and stilton, British cheeses, as well as the expiration of a agreement on the import of British cars, which will soon also be subject to higher customs duties. Attempts to put pressure on the negotiators, believes London.
However, with Brexit, the United Kingdom hoped to conclude new trade agreements outside the European Union. Three years later, it has signed with only a handful of countries – Australia and New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific bloc. But the major markets hoped for by Brexiteers – India, the United States, the Gulf countries – are still under negotiation and struggling to materialize.
Also read: UK announces post-Brexit trade deal with Australia
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