Post-Brexit trade deals will have to wait, Davis says

Britain will not be able to enact post-Brexit free trade deals with countries like the United States until proposed temporary customs arrangements with the European Union end, Brexit Secretary David Davis has admitted.

Before any new customs deal is negotiated and implemented, Britain will seek to avoid a “cliff-edge” for businesses by putting in place temporary arrangements broadly similar to the EU’s customs union.

Mr Davis admitted that during this period, which he said would last “something like two years”, the UK will not be able to do business under new free trade agreements.

Mr Davis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “You couldn’t have an arrangement whereby we have unfettered access to the European market but also the right to bring in raw materials from outside.

“But we should be able to have an arrangement by which we can do the negotiation, sign it off, but not enter (it) into effect.”

Mr Davis also refused to rule out paying for the temporary deal, while officials admitted the European Court of Justice’s role in enforcing customs union rules during the interim period would be subject to negotiations.

Pressed on whether the UK would have to pay, Mr Davis said: “I am not going to do the negotiation on air.

“What we are not going to do, let’s be clear, we are not going to continue the £10 billion a year net contributions we currently have.”

Former Ukip leader and leading Brexit-backer Nigel Farage criticised the plan for temporary arrangements.

“This is not what we voted for – we voted to leave, not for transitional arrangements.”