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| Version 22 | Version 23 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far? | Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far? |
| (17 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 signed 17 "continuity" deals covering 47 countries or territories. All together, these deals represent about 8% of total UK trade. | |
| The UK has said some deals definitely won't be rolled over in time for 31 October. San Marino, Andorra and Turkey won't be ready because these countries are already in a customs union with the EU. A deal with Japan - which is worth just over 2% of total UK trade - also won't be ready. | |
| Georgia | |
| The UK signed an agreement with Georgia on 21 October - 10 days before the Brexit deadline. Trade between the two countries was worth £95m in 2018. | |
| Southern Africa Customs Union and Mozambique | |
| The UK signed a continuity deal with six African nations - South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Mozambique - on 9 October. | |
| Trade between the UK and these six countries was worth £9.7bn in 2018. | |
| Tunisia | Tunisia |
| Signed on 4 October, the government says UK consumers will continue to benefit from from lower textile and clothing prices following the agreement. | Signed on 4 October, the government says UK consumers will continue to benefit from from lower textile and clothing prices following the agreement. |
| Trade between the UK and Tunisia was worth £378m in 2018. | Trade between the UK and Tunisia was worth £378m in 2018. |
| Lebanon | Lebanon |
| The deal with Lebanon was signed on 19 September. Total trade between the UK and Lebanon was worth £603m in 2018. | The deal with Lebanon was signed on 19 September. Total trade between the UK and Lebanon was worth £603m in 2018. |
| South Korea | South Korea |
| Signed on 22 August, the South Korea agreement is the first to be struck in Asia. | Signed on 22 August, the South Korea agreement is the first to be struck in Asia. |
| Last year, total trade between the UK and South Korea was worth £14.6bn. | Last year, total trade between the UK and South Korea was worth £14.6bn. |
| Central America | Central 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 goods such as prawns and fruit. | The government says the deal means UK consumers will continue to benefit from lower prices on goods such as prawns and fruit. |
| Total trade between the UK and Central America was worth £1bn in 2018. | Total trade between the UK and Central America was worth £1bn in 2018. |
| Andean countries | Andean countries |
| Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are the countries covered by the Andean agreement, signed on 15 May. | 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 Iceland | Norway 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 continue to benefit from lower import prices, such as aluminium and some fuel and oil products. | The government says UK businesses will continue to 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. 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 countries | Caribbean 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". |
| 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 Islands | Pacific 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 maintain access to goods such as fish and sugar. | The UK says the deal will 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. |
| Israel | Israel |
| 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 Authority | Palestinian Authority |
| The UK-Palestinian Authority agreement was signed 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. |
| Switzerland | Switzerland |
| The UK-Switzerland agreement was confirmed in Bern on 11 February | 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. |
| 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, which applies the main parts of the Swiss-UK deal to Liechtenstein, was also signed. | An additional agreement, which applies the main parts of the Swiss-UK deal to Liechtenstein, was also signed. |
| The Faroe Islands | The 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. |
| The UK government says that the agreement will mean fish prices won't rise as a result of tariffs. | The UK government says that the agreement will mean fish prices won't rise as a result of tariffs. |
| Eastern and Southern Africa | Eastern and Southern Africa |
| Trade between the Eastern and Southern Africa region was worth £1.5bn in 2017. The deal covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. | Trade between the Eastern and Southern Africa region was worth £1.5bn in 2017. The deal covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. |
| Meat and fish are the main goods imported from the region by the UK. | Meat and fish are the main goods imported from the region by the UK. |
| Chile | Chile |
| The UK-Chile trade arrangement was the first agreement to be signed. Total trade between the UK and Chile was £1.8bn in 2017. | The UK-Chile trade arrangement was the first agreement to be signed. 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 agreements | Mutual 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. |
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