Japan would welcome UK ‘with open arms’ to pact

Britain would be welcomed into the Transpacific Partnership trade pact “with open arms” by Japan, the country’s prime minister has said.

Shinzo Abe also urged the use of “wisdom” during Brexit talks in order to avoid a no-deal withdrawal from the EU.

Mr Abe said the UK would lose its role as a gateway to the EU after Brexit, but would still be a country “equipped with global strength”.

The CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Transpacific Partnership) is an 11-nation trade agreement which includes Japan, Canada, Australia and Mexico.

US President Donald Trump withdrew America from the pact soon after entering the White House.

Mr Abe’s comments are likely to be seized on by arch-brexiteers as the UK would only be able to join the bloc if it was outside the EU customs union and was able to set its own tariffs.

Referring to withdrawal talks between London and Brussels, the Japanese prime minister told the Financial Times: “I hope that both sides can contribute their wisdom and at least avoid a so-called disorderly Brexit,

“I truly hope that the negative impact of Brexit to the global economy, including Japanese businesses, will be minimised.”