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Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far? Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far?
(10 days later)
The European Union (EU) has about 40 free trade deals, covering more than 70 countries. That means the UK, as a member of the EU, can currently trade with countries like Canada without having to pay taxes on imports (tariffs) on most goods.The European Union (EU) has about 40 free trade deals, covering more than 70 countries. That means the UK, as a member of the EU, can currently trade with countries like Canada without having to pay taxes on imports (tariffs) on most goods.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would suddenly lose tariff-free access to these markets and it would have to trade under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would suddenly lose tariff-free access to these markets and it would have to trade under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
To avoid this, the UK government is in the process of rolling over the EU's existing free trade deals with other countries - worth about 11% of total UK trade. The UK says it wants to replicate the EU's trade agreements "as far as possible" and have them ready to go in the event of a no-deal Brexit.To avoid this, the UK government is in the process of rolling over the EU's existing free trade deals with other countries - worth about 11% of total UK trade. The UK says it wants to replicate the EU's trade agreements "as far as possible" and have them ready to go in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
If Brexit happens on 31 October, the UK will be free to negotiate and sign trade deals with countries where the EU has no trade agreement - such the US. However, the UK will also need to negotiate a free trade deal with the EU to ensure continued tariff-free access to its market.If Brexit happens on 31 October, the UK will be free to negotiate and sign trade deals with countries where the EU has no trade agreement - such the US. However, the UK will also need to negotiate a free trade deal with the EU to ensure continued tariff-free access to its market.
Last year, the EU accounted for 46% of UK exports, while the US accounted for 19%.Last year, the EU accounted for 46% of UK exports, while the US accounted for 19%.
How many deals have been rolled over?How many deals have been rolled over?
So far the UK has agreed "continuity" deals with 12 countries and regions. These are: So far, the UK has agreed 13 "continuity" deals covering 38 countries.
In addition, the UK has also announced a deal in principle with South Korea, which is "expected to be signed shortly". South Korea
The South Korea agreement is the first to be struck in Asia. The agreement is roughly in line with the terms of the existing Korea-EU free trade deal.
Last year, total trade between the UK and South Korea was worth £14.6bn.
Central AmericaCentral America
Six Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) signed the UK-Central America Association Agreement on 18 July.Six Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) signed the UK-Central America Association Agreement on 18 July.
The government says the deal means UK consumers will continue to benefit from lower prices on imported goods, such as prawns from Honduras and Costa Rican fruit.The government says the deal means UK consumers will continue to benefit from lower prices on imported goods, such as prawns from Honduras and Costa Rican fruit.
Total trade (imports and exports) between the UK and Central America was worth £1bn in 2018, according to the Department for International Trade. Total trade between the UK and Central America was worth £1bn in 2018.
Andean countriesAndean countries
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are the countries covered by the Andean agreement, signed on 15 May. The UK government says the deal will replicate current trading arrangements "as far as possible". Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are the countries covered by the Andean agreement, signed on 15 May.
Total trade between the UK and the Andean countries was worth £2.1bn in 2018.Total trade between the UK and the Andean countries was worth £2.1bn in 2018.
Norway and IcelandNorway and Iceland
The agreement, signed on 2 April, maintains the same level of tariffs on goods traded between the UK, Iceland and Norway.The agreement, signed on 2 April, maintains the same level of tariffs on goods traded between the UK, Iceland and Norway.
The government says UK businesses will benefit from lower import prices, such as aluminium and some fuel and oil products.The government says UK businesses will benefit from lower import prices, such as aluminium and some fuel and oil products.
Total trade between the UK and Norway was worth £30bn in 2017, according to the Department for International Trade. For Iceland, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show total trade was worth £1.8bn in 2017. Total trade between the UK and Norway was worth £30bn in 2017. For Iceland, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show total trade was worth £1.8bn in 2017.
Caribbean countriesCaribbean countries
The deal with the Caribbean states (known as the Cariforum) covers 12 countries, including Barbados and Jamaica, and was signed on 22 March.The deal with the Caribbean states (known as the Cariforum) covers 12 countries, including Barbados and Jamaica, and was signed on 22 March.
A further two countries, the Bahamas and the Republic of Suriname, have agreed to the deal in principle and are "expected to sign shortly".A further two countries, the Bahamas and the Republic of Suriname, have agreed to the deal in principle and are "expected to sign shortly".
The deal eliminates all tariffs from the signing countries and allows businesses to trade as they currently do.
Exporters of rum, bananas and sugar cane are all expected to benefit from the arrangement.Exporters of rum, bananas and sugar cane are all expected to benefit from the arrangement.
Total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £2.5bn in 2017.Total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £2.5bn in 2017.
Pacific IslandsPacific Islands
The deal with the Pacific Islands - covering Fiji and Papua New Guinea - was signed on 14 March.The deal with the Pacific Islands - covering Fiji and Papua New Guinea - was signed on 14 March.
The UK says the deal will gradually remove around 80% of tariffs on UK exports to these countries and maintain access to goods, such as fish and sugar.The UK says the deal will gradually remove around 80% of tariffs on UK exports to these countries and maintain access to goods, such as fish and sugar.
In 2017, total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £369m.In 2017, total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £369m.
IsraelIsrael
The deal was formally signed on 18 February. The government says the agreement could save the UK vehicle industry up to £9m a year in tariff charges.The deal was formally signed on 18 February. The government says the agreement could save the UK vehicle industry up to £9m a year in tariff charges.
According to the ONS, total trade between the UK and Israel was worth £3.9bn in 2017.According to the ONS, total trade between the UK and Israel was worth £3.9bn in 2017.
Palestinian AuthorityPalestinian Authority
The UK-Palestinian Authority agreement was signed by Liam Fox and Abeer Odeh, Minister of National Economy in Ramallah on 18 February. The UK-Palestinian Authority agreement was signed on 18 February.
The UK government says the deal will benefit Palestinian exporters of fruit, nuts and olive oil.The UK government says the deal will benefit Palestinian exporters of fruit, nuts and olive oil.
Total trade between the two was £25m in 2017, according to ONS figures.Total trade between the two was £25m in 2017, according to ONS figures.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Under the UK-Switzerland agreement, which was confirmed in Bern on 11 February, tariffs will continue to be avoided on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries. The UK-Switzerland agreement was confirmed in Bern on 11 February
Without the deal, the UK government says the motor industry could have faced up to £8m in tariff charges, while aluminium exporters could have faced up to £4m.Without the deal, the UK government says the motor industry could have faced up to £8m in tariff charges, while aluminium exporters could have faced up to £4m.
The Department for International Trade says that trade between the UK and Switzerland was worth £32.1bn in 2017 - accounting for about 2.5% of total UK trade. Trade between the UK and Switzerland was worth £32.1bn in 2017 - accounting for about 2.5% of total UK trade.
An additional agreement was also signed in Bern by Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Aurelia Frick. It applies the main parts of the Swiss-UK trade deal to her country too. An additional agreement was also signed by Liechtenstein's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Aurelia Frick. It applies the main parts of the Swiss-UK trade deal to her country too.
The Faroe IslandsThe Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands is the UK's 114th largest trading partner, according to the government. Total trade between the two countries was worth £236m in 2017.The Faroe Islands is the UK's 114th largest trading partner, according to the government. Total trade between the two countries was worth £236m in 2017.
Fish and crustaceans made up the vast majority of UK's imports from the Faroes in 2017, worth £201.7m, while total UK exports to the country were worth only £6m - mostly machinery and mechanical appliances.Fish and crustaceans made up the vast majority of UK's imports from the Faroes in 2017, worth £201.7m, while total UK exports to the country were worth only £6m - mostly machinery and mechanical appliances.
The UK government says that the agreement it has reached will mean consumers continue to benefit from greater choice and lower fish prices "such as Atlantic salmon, haddock and halibut".The UK government says that the agreement it has reached will mean consumers continue to benefit from greater choice and lower fish prices "such as Atlantic salmon, haddock and halibut".
Eastern and Southern AfricaEastern and Southern Africa
Trade between the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region was worth £1.5bn in 2017 - about 0.1% of total UK trade. The UK-ESA deal covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.Trade between the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region was worth £1.5bn in 2017 - about 0.1% of total UK trade. The UK-ESA deal covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.
Meat and fish are the main goods imported from the region by the UK (£111m).Meat and fish are the main goods imported from the region by the UK (£111m).
ChileChile
Signed at the end of January, the UK-Chile trade arrangement was the first to be done. Total trade between the UK and Chile was £1.8bn in 2017.Signed at the end of January, the UK-Chile trade arrangement was the first to be done. Total trade between the UK and Chile was £1.8bn in 2017.
Fruit, nuts and drinks are the top goods imported by the UK. The government says the deal will help to protect parts of the UK's wine industry.Fruit, nuts and drinks are the top goods imported by the UK. The government says the deal will help to protect parts of the UK's wine industry.
Mutual recognition agreementsMutual recognition agreements
The UK has also signed deals with the United States, Australia and New Zealand, but these are "mutual recognition agreements" and not free trade agreements.The UK has also signed deals with the United States, Australia and New Zealand, but these are "mutual recognition agreements" and not free trade agreements.
The Australia and New Zealand deal replicates all aspects of the current EU agreements when it comes to recognising product standards, such as the labelling and certifying of wine.The Australia and New Zealand deal replicates all aspects of the current EU agreements when it comes to recognising product standards, such as the labelling and certifying of wine.
The US agreement will, according to the Department for International Trade, particularly benefit the pharmaceutical sector which accounts for around £7.7bn of UK exports to the US - about 18% of the total.The US agreement will, according to the Department for International Trade, particularly benefit the pharmaceutical sector which accounts for around £7.7bn of UK exports to the US - about 18% of the total.
ApprehensiveApprehensive
So there's been some progress, but not yet enough. So there's been some progress, but rolling over all deals in time for 31 October could be difficult.
"You can't simply roll over everything - these existing agreements will have references to EU law, so you cannot avoid some negotiation," says Alan Winters, director of the UK Trade Policy Observatory at University of Sussex."You can't simply roll over everything - these existing agreements will have references to EU law, so you cannot avoid some negotiation," says Alan Winters, director of the UK Trade Policy Observatory at University of Sussex.
Some countries may also be apprehensive in signing deals right now, given that it is so unclear what Brexit will ultimately look like, adds Prof Winters.Some countries may also be apprehensive in signing deals right now, given that it is so unclear what Brexit will ultimately look like, adds Prof Winters.
So what could the consequences be if trade arrangements are not fully in place and the UK leaves the EU with no deal?So what could the consequences be if trade arrangements are not fully in place and the UK leaves the EU with no deal?
With the countries where the UK has no formal trade agreement, both would have to trade under the rules overseen by the World Trade Organization (WTO).With the countries where the UK has no formal trade agreement, both would have to trade under the rules overseen by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Trade would not stop if this were to happen but some barriers would go up, says Alex Stojanovic, from the Institute for Government think tank.Trade would not stop if this were to happen but some barriers would go up, says Alex Stojanovic, from the Institute for Government think tank.
"There is a reason you have trade agreements, it's that they give you better trade preferences than WTO terms."There is a reason you have trade agreements, it's that they give you better trade preferences than WTO terms.
"So some businesses will be harmed by tariffs coming into play," he says."So some businesses will be harmed by tariffs coming into play," he says.
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