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Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far? Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far?
(32 minutes later)
As a European Union member, the UK is automatically part of about 40 trade agreements which the EU has with more than 70 countries.As a European Union member, the UK is automatically part of about 40 trade agreements which the EU has with more than 70 countries.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March, it would lose these trade deals immediately.If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March, it would lose these trade deals immediately.
To avoid this, Theresa May's government 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, Theresa May's government 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.
Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, told MPs in January last year that the government wanted to achieve "continuity and stability" by ensuring that the UK would continue to benefit from these arrangements.Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, told MPs in January last year that the government wanted to achieve "continuity and stability" by ensuring that the UK would continue to benefit from these arrangements.
So how much progress has been made?So how much progress has been made?
Six out of 40Six out of 40
The UK has (so far) only agreed six deals.The UK has (so far) only agreed six deals.
These include relaxing certain rules, reducing taxes (tariffs) on imports and exports, or granting easier market access.These include relaxing certain rules, reducing taxes (tariffs) on imports and exports, or granting easier market access.
The government estimates that about 11% of UK trade relies on the EU's agreements with 70 countries.The government estimates that about 11% of UK trade relies on the EU's agreements with 70 countries.
The "continuity" agreements the UK has struck are:The "continuity" agreements the UK has struck are:
On 21 February, the government released a statement saying it would not be able to the replicate the EU's free trade deal with Japan by 29 March. Other agreements that won't be ready on Brexit day, according to the statement, are Turkey, Andorra and San Marino.
IsraelIsrael
The deal was formally signed on 18 February. It allows businesses to continue to trade as they do now after 29 March - without any additional tariffs or barriers.The deal was formally signed on 18 February. It allows businesses to continue to trade as they do now after 29 March - without any additional tariffs or barriers.
The government says the agreement could save the UK vehicle industry up to £9m a year in tariff charges.The government says the agreement could save the UK vehicle industry up to £9m a year in tariff charges.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), total trade (imports and exports) between the UK and Israel was worth £3.9bn in 2017.According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), total trade (imports and exports) 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 by Liam Fox and Abeer Odeh, Minister of National Economy in Ramallah on 18 February.
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.
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.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Under the UK-Switzerland agreement, which was confirmed in Bern on 11 February, tariffs (taxes on goods) will continue to be avoided on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries.Under the UK-Switzerland agreement, which was confirmed in Bern on 11 February, tariffs (taxes on goods) will continue to be avoided on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries.
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.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.
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 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.
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.
'Challenging''Challenging'
But it may not be possible to roll over all of the 40 deals by 29 March, according to one government minister.But it may not be possible to roll over all of the 40 deals by 29 March, according to one government minister.
George Hollingbery, a minister in the International Trade Department, told MPs last month that some of the EU trade agreements would be "challenging", adding that "one or two" would be "close to impossible" to get in place by the end of March.George Hollingbery, a minister in the International Trade Department, told MPs last month that some of the EU trade agreements would be "challenging", adding that "one or two" would be "close to impossible" to get in place by the end of March.
Turkey was highlighted by Mr Hollingbery as one country where a deal would be very difficult to achieve, given it is in a customs union with the EU.Turkey was highlighted by Mr Hollingbery as one country where a deal would be very difficult to achieve, given it is in a customs union with the EU.
The current lack of signed trade agreements is not a surprise to Alan Winters, director of the UK Trade Policy Observatory at University of Sussex.The current lack of signed trade agreements is not a surprise to 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," he says."You can't simply roll over everything - these existing agreements will have references to EU law, so you cannot avoid some negotiation," he says.
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 by 29 March and the UK leaves with no deal?So what could the consequences be if trade arrangements are not fully in place by 29 March and the UK leaves 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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