G20: Theresa May faces Brexit trade pressure

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Series Details 04.09.16
Publication Date 04/09/2016
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United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May set out her ambition for the UK to become the global leader in free trade when she attended the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China, 4-5 September 2016. The Prime Minister also started exploratory talks with a number of countries around the world to enable the UK to forge its own new trade deals once it had left the EU.

However, the challenges ahead for the United Kingdom came in the responses of the leaders of other G20 countries. In particular, US President Obama said the US would prioritise trade negotiations with the EU and Pacific nations over a UK deal.

In addition, in an officially published briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Japanese government said that 'It is of great importance that the UK and the EU maintain market integrity and remain attractive destinations for businesses where free trade, unfettered investment and smooth financial transactions are ensured ... In light of the fact that a number of Japanese businesses, invited by the government in some cases, have invested actively to the UK, which was seen to be a gateway to Europe... we strongly request that the UK will consider this fact seriously and respond in a responsible manner to minimise any harmful effects on these businesses'.

'What Japanese businesses in Europe most wish to avoid is the situation in which they are unable to discern clearly the way the negotiations are going, only grasping the whole picture at the last minute. It is imperative that the outcome is free of unpleasant surprises and reducing the risks emanating from uncertainty'.

The Australian Trade Minister Stephen Ciobo stressed while on a visit to the UK in September 2016 that while preliminary Australia-UK talks will take places, formal negotiations for a free trade deal cannot take place until the UK has left the EU, and that Australia would prioritise securing an Australia-EU free trade agreement.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37269916
Related Links
ESO: Background information: G20 - Hangzhou, China, 4-5 September 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-g20-china-2016/
United Kingdom: Department for International Trade https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade
UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 04.09.16: PM: UK should become the global leader in free trade https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-uk-should-become-the-global-leader-in-free-trade
Japan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statement, September 2016: Japan’s Message to the United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000185466.pdf
The Guardian, 04.09.16: Theresa May joins G20 summit to face Brexit warnings from US and Japan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/04/g20-theresa-may-warns-of-tough-times-for-uk-economy-after-brexit
The Guardian, 04.09.16: Britain cannot easily dismiss Japanese Brexit warning letter http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/04/britain-japanese-brexit-letter-eu
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
ESO: Background information: UK EU exit would be global economy 'shock' - G20 leaders http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-eu-exit-would-be-global-economy-shock-g20-leaders/
EUObserver, 05.09.16: US and Japan warn UK on EU trade https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/134897
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The Conversation, 05.09.16: Frozen like a rabbit in G20 headlights: Britain struggles to deal with Brexit http://theconversation.com/frozen-like-a-rabbit-in-g20-headlights-britain-struggles-to-deal-with-brexit-64785
BBC News, 07.09.16: UK to explore free trade deal with Australia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37291832
The Guardian, 07.09.16: No free trade deal until Brexit settled, says Australian minister http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/07/no-free-trade-deal-until-brexit-settled-australian-minister-steven-ciobo
The Conversation, 06.09.16: Why Britain should heed Japan’s Brexit warning https://theconversation.com/why-britain-should-heed-japans-brexit-warning-64946
UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minster's Office, 07.09.16: G20 Summit: PM Commons statement – 7 September 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/g20-summit-pm-commons-statement-7-september-2016
EurActiv, 07.09.16: Germany warns UK not to jump the gun on trade talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/germany-warns-uk-not-to-jump-the-gun-on-trade-talks/

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