First Brexit export deal on the skids
THE first major trade deal announced after Brexit has been branded a flop with exports actually dropping.
Liz Truss hailed the agreement with Japan as historic as International Trade Secretary in 2020.
But latest Department for International Trade figures show exports fell from £12.3bn to £11.9bn in the 12 months to June. Services fell by 2%.
Shadow International Trade Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the Tories have “no trade policy worthy of the name”.
A DIT spokesman blamed Covid for the impact on global trade.
■ The Tony Blair Institute is urging the Government to strike a deal with the EU on food safety regulations to fix problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol.