Australia free trade pact gives away too much, says Eustice

THE free trade deal with Australia is not good for Britain, the former environment secretary claimed yesterday as he took aim at Liz Truss.

George Eustice said the agreement, reached in July 2021, gave away “far too much for too little” and warned that lessons must be learned for future pacts.

Speaking in a Commons debate, Mr Eustice accused Ms Truss of scuppering negotiations despite Britain “holding all of the best cards”.

He added: “We did not actually need to give Australia nor New Zealand full liberalisation of beef and sheep. It was not in our economic interests to do so.”

Sources pointed to the fact Mr Eustice was collectively responsible for the deal as a Cabinet minister.

The Department for International Trade was contacted for comment.