London (AFP)

The United Kingdom announced on Friday a free trade agreement with three European countries - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein -, which constitutes a new step in its ambition to strengthen its commercial influence after Brexit.

The agreement concluded with these three countries which are not members of the European Union but are closely linked to it through their membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) covers a trade volume of 21.6 billion pounds in 2020.

It will lead to "a major boom in our trade" with the other three states, said British Minister of Commerce Liz Truss in a statement.

Since the UK's exit from the EU, the government of Boris Johnson has a project, described as "Global Britain", to negotiate trade agreements in the world, which he says will be more advantageous than those negotiated by the EU .

London has already secured agreements with the EU, Singapore and Japan, and is in talks with Australia, the United States, India and New Zealand.

Negotiations will also begin with Canada and Mexico.

The one unveiled on Friday will "boost important sectors such as digital, lower tariffs on high-quality British food and agricultural products and support jobs across the country," said the Ministry of Commerce.

Essentially covering trade with Norway, the agreement notably provides for a reduction in customs duties, which can now reach 277%, for exporters of certain cheddar cheeses to the Nordic country.

# photo1

It also includes rate cuts in pork, poultry, some fish and shellfish and "helps preserve 18,000 jobs" in fish farming.

Norway for its part stressed that the agreement would not lead to an increase in the quotas of British beef and cheese, thus appeasing a priori the fears of national producers as the center-right government faces legislative elections which are taking place. present badly in September.

The Nordic country is thus securing access to its first market, outside the EU, with the United Kingdom absorbing 22% of its exports, including a lot of natural gas and fish.

Among other advances, the text provides for electronic procedures rather than paper forms for trade, a cap on telephone roaming charges or even mutual recognition of training for certain qualified jobs (nurse, veterinarian, lawyer ...).

- The second best option -

In anticipation of Brexit, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein had signed a temporary agreement allowing them to continue to trade their goods freely.

But a permanent and more extensive agreement, including in particular services and public procurement, remained to be concluded.

At a press conference in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg hailed "the largest free trade deal we have ever concluded".

Europhile in a country which has twice refused to join the EU, Solberg stressed, however, that "a free trade agreement will not be as satisfactory as the EEA agreement".

# photo2

With Brexit, the United Kingdom also left this space which guarantees the free movement of people, goods, services and capital between the EU and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

"A free trade agreement means more bureaucracy and increased costs for businesses and citizens, and is less dynamic compared to what we have through the EEA," said Solberg.

"The agreement does not remove all trade barriers either. Some are not resolved," she added.

The text has yet to be approved by the Norwegian Parliament, where Solberg's government is in the minority.

In Reykjavik, the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guðlaugur Thór Thórdarson, for his part welcomed "a historic agreement which marks a turning point in relations between the countries".

"The UK is one of Iceland's most important export markets and, due to the close ties between the two countries, it was considered extremely important to conclude a future deal with the UK at this stage, "he said in a statement.

© 2021 AFP