The first post-Brexit trade deals came into effect at midnight yesterday sparking fresh criticism of the impact they will have on UK businesses and standards.
Trade experts and representatives of the farming industry warned about the impact that the damaging deals with Australia and New Zealand would have on British businesses while delivering very few benefits.
Their concerns were repeated at a live session of the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission in July 2021 after which Commissioners wrote to the government to highlight their evidence.
Last year, Tory MP George Eustice, who was Agriculture Minister when the deal was signed, admitted that the post-Brexit trade deal which his government signed with Australia last year is "actually not very good for the UK". While in post, George Eustice boasted that the deal was a "good agreement".
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of internationalist campaign group Best for Britain said,
“By the government’s own admission, these trade deals are not good for the UK. They undercut British industries, trash UK standards, make a mockery of our climate commitments, and all while having next to no impact on economic growth and failing to make up for trade we have lost with the EU.
“Future trade deals should protect British businesses and be aimed at boosting growth and opportunities, that’s why we are gathering hundreds of businesses together at the Trade Unlocked Conference in Birmingham to influence trade policy before the next general election.”
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