Signed a new Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom Aiming for approval at the extraordinary Diet session

Signed a new Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom Aiming for approval at the extraordinary Diet session October 23, 12:35

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The signing ceremony of the new EPA = Economic Partnership Agreement between the UK and Japan was held following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU = European Union.

The government plans to aim for approval at the extraordinary Diet session convened next week, with the aim of coming into effect on January 1, next year.

The signing ceremony for the new EPA with the United Kingdom was held at the Iikura Public Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of the 23rd, and was signed by Foreign Minister Motegi and International Trade Minister Truss, respectively.

After that, a joint press release was made, and Minister Motegi said, "The fact that the signature was realized at an unusual speed of four and a half months from the start of negotiations means that both Japan and the United Kingdom will continue to strongly promote free trade. It is also a manifestation. In addition to further promoting trade and investment between Japan and the UK, we would like to use this agreement as an important foundation for further strengthening and developing the relationship between Japan and the UK, which are our global strategic partners. " It was.

"It is also the first free trade agreement that Britain has agreed to become an independent trading nation again, which will bring great benefits to the economies of the two island nations," said International Trade Minister Truss.

The new agreement largely follows the agreement between Japan and the EU, which came into effect last year, including the elimination of tariffs on automobiles exported from Japan in 2026.

On the other hand, in the field of e-commerce, it also sets higher-level rules, such as taking measures to limit government intervention in corporate activities.

Behind this, it seems that there is also the aim of restraining the movement to manage corporate data arbitrarily, with China in mind.

The government plans to submit a proposal for approval of the agreement to the extraordinary Diet session convened next week, aiming for prompt approval, in preparation for the entry into force of the agreement on January 1, next year.