May to use Eu-canada pact as template for trade deal

THERESA MAY will pledge to use a trade deal already agreed by the European Union and Canada as a basis for a new bilateral arrangement after Brexit.

The Prime Minister will make the pledge when she flies to Canada and the US on a three-day visit from today.

She has used the promise of “global Britain” making its own tariff-free trade deals to sell the benefits of Brexit to voters. Saying that an existing EU trade deal will form the template for Britain’s post-brexit arrangements will sound alarm bells with some Leave campaigners, who argue that “copy and paste” trade deals go against one of the major reasons for leaving the EU. Ministers have also said they want the EU’S trade deal with Japan – which is yet to be completed – to form the basis of Britain’s post-brexit trade deal with Asia’s economic powerhouse.

In talks with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Mrs May will make it clear that she wants the UK to agree a deal with Canada as soon as possible. It would be based on the Eu/canada deal that took seven years to negotiate and formally takes effect from Thursday this week. The deal – known as CETA – eliminates 98 per cent of all Canadian tariffs between the EU and Canada.

Mrs May will also say that Britain will act “as champions for free trade that delivers for all parts of society”.