Post-Brexit trade talks on fast track

The UK’s International Trade Secretary Liz Truss says she wants to ensure ‘‘rapid’’ trade talks with New Zealand after Brexit.

Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker met his counterpart yesterday to lay the groundwork for postBrexit talks. The bilateral follows their July meeting in London.

Since then, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have met and agreed to fast-track a post-Brexit trade deal.

Following the meeting, Parker said they reiterated the commitment shared between Prime Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to move quickly towards a Free Trade Agreement as soon as the UK was in a position to do so.

‘‘Today we also discussed areas where it is important for us to step up progress to find mutually acceptable solutions that do not disadvantage New Zealand traders as a result of Brexit.’’

They also discussed areas where they could can deepen co-operation in future, recognising the shared interests in more open, sustainable and inclusive trade, he said.

‘‘We continued earlier discussions on ways that we can co-operate in wider trade forums, including on issues such as digital trade and through the potential UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.’’

Before the meeting he had anticipated making quick progress towards a new post-Brexit trade relationship.

The minister has not previously referred to timelines about his talks or whether New Zealand would strike a similar deal as Australia.