FUMING business leaders have hit out at Theresa May for refusing to consult them on a post-Brexit trade agreement. Leading industry groups blasted the government over failing to speak to firms before the publication of a crucial white paper which sets out Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU. And they revealed their frustration with the repeated delays in the negotiations, as the ongoing wrangle over the Northern Irish border has held up talks on trade. It marks a new low point in relations between the Prime Minister and major firms, with the president of the CBI saying: “We’re playing economics, [the politicians] are playing politics.” Paul Drechsler, boss of the employers’ organisation, told the Financial Times: “Is it any wonder that in the world of business we’re frustrated, we’re angry.” Another senior business figure told the paper: “There has been zero formal consultation with business on the content [of … [Read more...] about Fuming business bosses turn on Theresa May for refusing to consult them on post-Brexit trade
Brexit trade
Theresa May’s hopes of a quick Brexit trade deal with Trump are ‘not going to happen’
Sir Peter Westmacott, Britain's Ambassador to the United States between 2012 and 2016 Greg Kahn / Stringer Exclusive: Sir Peter Westmacott, Britain's ambassador to the United States until 2016, tells Business Insider that it will be "extremely difficult" for the UK to negotiate a free-trade deal with the United States. Brexit-supporting MPs have consistently trumpeted the prospect of a UK-US trade deal as a means of compensating for the economic hit from leaving the EU. "I think this is all going to be extraordinarily difficult and will take a long time to negotiate," said Westmacott. LONDON — Britain's hopes of a quick post-Brexit trade deal with the Trump administration are "not going to happen" the UK's former ambassador to the US has told Business Insider. Sir Peter Westmacott, who served in Washington during the Obama era between 2012 and 2016, told Business Insider that Downing Street's suggestion that Britain will be able to forge a speedy, generous trade … [Read more...] about Theresa May’s hopes of a quick Brexit trade deal with Trump are ‘not going to happen’
Secret post-Brexit trade deal ‘could threaten Scotch whisky’
0 Have your say A post-Brexit trade deal with the US could signal bad news for the scotch whisky industry, with distillers warned the number of American imports could soar if trade barriers come down once the UK exits the EU. Trade groups in the US want any deal signed between the two countries to scrap current EU guidelines centred on the ageing of whisky, which would allow American producers to promote their younger spirits as “whiskey”. Talks between the UK and the US aimed at thrashing out what can and can’t be included in any potential trade agreement are being held in secret, transparency campaigners claim.• READ MORE - US lobbying for UK to drop food name protections to sell ‘Scotch whisky’The Guardian reports that a Greenpeace unit last year found that the UK and US offices involved in the talks had signed an agreement that information, documents and negotiations relating to the discussions should be seen as … [Read more...] about Secret post-Brexit trade deal ‘could threaten Scotch whisky’
Theresa May to issue 50-page dossier of Brexit trade demands to outmanoeuvre Brussels
THERESA May and her top Cabinet ministers last night agreed a high-risk plan to publish a long Brexit trade deal wish list in a bid to outmanoeuvre Brussels. The PM’s Brexit war cabinet gave the green light to the bold bid to set the running for the summer’s tense negotiations ahead of an October deadline. The document will lay down a draft text of what Britain wants to see in the political statement with the 27 EU leaders over their future relationship with the UK. The EU outmanoeuvred Britain during divorce deal and transition period talks by laying down its own terms first, setting the agenda. But the strategy is also high risk, as Mrs May will face humiliation if she fails to win the significant majority of her public asks. The plan was hatched as Mrs May’s Brexit inner sanctum met for 90 minutes yesterday afternoon in her Commons office to agree Britain’s full negotiating strategy for an EU trade deal. The draft document – which will cover trade and … [Read more...] about Theresa May to issue 50-page dossier of Brexit trade demands to outmanoeuvre Brussels
Theresa May asks Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull to Chequers to talk up quick Brexit trade deal
THERESA May invited her Aussie counterpart Malcolm Turnbull to Chequers yesterday to discuss post-Brexit trade. Australia’s PM was pleased the UK had shown interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He said: “Trade is very high on your agenda, as it is on ours. Trade means jobs.” Mrs May said the two countries aimed to combat protectionism and promote free trade. Mr Turnbull said the pair would “reminisce” about their student days together at Oxford. The meeting comes in the wake of a warning from the Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop to Remainer MPs that staying in the EU customs union would kill an Oz trade deal. She warned rebel MPs in Westminster not to blow the chances when they vote next week on whether to try to keep Britain shackled to Brussels tariff and customs rules. Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says the Australian cricket team ball tampering scandal is a 'shocking disappointment' … [Read more...] about Theresa May asks Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull to Chequers to talk up quick Brexit trade deal