UK to open trade talks with non-EU nations after Brexit
BRITAIN WILL begin negotiating new trade deals with countries outside the European Union once it has left the bloc on January 31, Boris Johnson has confirmed.
The Prime Minister said it was “epically likely” that the UK would strike a comprehensive trade deal with the EU by the end of 2020 when the transition period ends.
But Mr Johnson warned “you always have to budget for a complete failure of common sense”.
His comments follow reports that the UK would seek to conduct parallel post-Brexit trade talks with the US and EU from February.
He told BBC Breakfast: “Obviously you always have to budget for a complete failure of common sense, that goes without saying, but I’m very, very, very confident that we’ll get a (deal).
“This is not about a deal, this is about building a great new partnership. And from January 31, what we’re going to do is start working with our friends and partners around the world – not just with the EU. We’re going to start building new relationships with friends and partners around the world.”
Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on January 31, but will enter a transition period until the end of the year. Mr Johnson has insisted he will not push back the deadline, but critics claim that the timescale is too tight to reach a new deal.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whose country holds the rotating council presidency, told MEPs: “The transition period of 11 months is extremely short and it will take a lot of goodwill and a lot of work to bring these negotiations to an end in that period.”
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson said Britons may be able to “bung a bob for a Big Ben bong” on Brexit night under plans being drawn up by the Government.
The famous bell was temporarily silenced in 2017 for the safety of workers who are involved in the four-year restoration of the Elizabeth Tower.
But there have been calls for it to chime at 11pm on January 31 to mark Britain’s departure from the European Union.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the House of Commons Commission on Monday, but it was ultimately ruled out after it was revealed that it could cost £500,000.
The Prime Minister yesterday told BBC Breakfast that the Government was working up a plan to allow supportive members of the public to fund it.
This is not about a deal, this is about building a great new partnership. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.