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Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far? Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far?
(about 1 month 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 its imports (tariffs) of 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. If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, it would automatically 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 scenario, the UK government is in the process of rolling over the EU's existing free trade deals with other countries.
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, the UK will be free to negotiate and sign new trade deals with countries where the EU has no such agreement - like 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 after the transition period (which is due to end on 31 December 2020).
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 18 "continuity" deals covering 48 countries or territories. All together, these deals represent about 8% of total UK trade. So far, the UK has signed 19 "continuity" deals covering 49 countries or territories:
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. Which deals won't be rolled over?
The UK government has previously said some deals are unlikely to be rolled over by exit day. 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.
How much are these trade deals worth?
Last year, the total value of UK trade (goods and services) was £1.3tn. About 11% of this trade came from countries with EU trade agreements.
The 19 trade agreements the UK has reached represent just over 8% of total UK trade. That means the UK has so far rolled over about three-quarters of the EU's trade deals.
Jordan
The agreement with Jordan was reached on 14 November. Total trade between the UK and Jordan was worth £448m in 2018.
MoroccoMorocco
The UK's deal with Morocco was signed on 26 October. Trade between the two countries was worth £2.5bn in 2018.The UK's deal with Morocco was signed on 26 October. Trade between the two countries was worth £2.5bn in 2018.
GeorgiaGeorgia
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. The UK signed an agreement with Georgia on 21 October. Trade between the two countries was worth £123m in 2018.
Southern Africa customs union and MozambiqueSouthern 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.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. Trade between the UK and these six countries was worth £10.2bn in 2018.
TunisiaTunisia
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 £542m in 2018.
LebanonLebanon
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 £762m in 2018.
South KoreaSouth 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 £14.8bn.
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 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 £1.1bn in 2018.
Andean countriesAndean 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 £3.4bn 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 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-Iceland was £30.6bn in 2018.
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".
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 £3.7bn in 2018.
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 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 2018, total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £163m.
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. Total trade between the UK and Israel was worth £4.2bn in 2017.
Palestinian AuthorityPalestinian 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 £41m in 2018.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
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 £32.4bn in 2018 - 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 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 £252m in 2018.
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 AfricaEastern 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 £2bn in 2018. 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.
ChileChile
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 was £2bn last year.
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.
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