Charm offensive still on as May builds foundations for post-brexit trade

0 Theresa May will meet with Japans PM and Emperor being overshadowed by security concerns, Theresa May’s visit to Japan will see the Prime Minister mount a three-day charm offensive, laying the groundwork for a post-brexit trade deal.

Mrs May will meet both the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as well as Emperor Akihito, with British hopes of making Brexit an economic success resting on speedy trade deals with the likes of Japan.

But the government’s ambitions were dealt a blow on the eve of the visit as Japanese officials said they were prioritising trade talks with the EU that had just opened over a future deal with the UK.

British officials will seek to ease fears among potential investors over the impact of Brexit on the UK economy. Minister for public diplomacy at the Japanese embassy Shinichi Iida told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Japanese businesses in the UK are “concerned” at the complexity of the Brexit process, adding that it was “no secret” the Japanese Government would have preferred the UK staying in the EU.

He said businesses were expecting “clarity” and that a transitional arrangement would be a “very important factor” allowing time for Japanese companies to “adjust to a new environment” after Brexit.

Political opponents seized on the trip, claiming it was a sign of desperation as Brexit talks in Brussels have become bogged down in arguments over money.

Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said: “Prime Minister Abe has been clear that any future trade agreement with Japan will only be possible once the terms of the UK’S future reladespite tionship with the EU has itself been clarified.

“Whilst Theresa May is desperately trying to spin this visit as scoping out a future bilateral trade and investment agreement; the reality is that the government is spooked by the fact that Japanese banks like Nomura have already announced their intention to relocate their European HQ to Frankfurt.”