Davis says UK can keep EU trade deals

Brexit Secretary David Davis has drawn battle lines for the next round of talks with Brussels, saying the UK would fight for the right to keep access to existing EU free trade agreements and sign new deals with third countries during a transition phase.

Giving evidence to MPS, Mr Davis dismissed suggestions the UK could lose preferential trade access to countries that have signed deals with the EU before the end of the transition in 2021.

Mr Davis told the European Union select committee: “There will be an argument about the right to negotiate free trade agreements.

“There will be an argument, I’m sure, about the issue of whether or not we can object to new laws that we haven’t had a say in.

“There will be discussions about issues like representation on technical committee.”

He said he also expected arguments over whether British institutions, companies and individuals can be excluded from EU projects during the transition period on security grounds.

Mr Davis said it was in the “common interest” of the UK, the EU and their trading partners for existing EU trade deals to continue to apply to Britain during the transition.

He said he expected the UK to have to renegotiate trade deals with countries like South Korea, which have agreements with the EU.

Mr Davis said he expected ratification of the future relationship between Britain and the EU could take “some considerable time”.

The Belgian regional parliament of Wallonia put significant obstacles in the way of a trade deal between the EU and Canada. “I’m planning my visit to the Walloon parliament already,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the government wanted an implementation period rather than an extension of membership to allow it to negotiate new trade deals. He added: “It’s not exactly the same as membership, but it is very, very similar.”

Meanwhile, Downing Street declined to comment on reports German Chancellor Angela Merkel had told reporters in a private meeting that whenever she asks Mrs May what she is seeking, the Prime Minister responds: “Make me an offer.”

Labour chairman of the Commons Exiting the EU committee Hilary Benn said it was “extraordinary and unacceptable” the Government had so far failed to spell out exactly what it wants from Brexit negotiations.