Boris Johnson wants more TimTams for UK in free trade push with Australia

Australia and the UK have launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement, with a ‘bold, ambitious deal’ expected by Christmas.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants his country to get more tubs of Vegemite and packets of Tim Tams, as he and Scott Morrison start negotiations on an Australia-UK free trade deal.

Australia and the UK officially launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement at lunchtime Wednesday with expectations from both sides to have a “bold and ambitious deal” quickly wrapped up by this Christmas.

Evoking our shared language and the Queen, the British Prime Minister said the two countries already trade so much without a deal and there would be more opportunities for iconic Australian products with an agreement. 

“We import colossal qualities of absolutely delicious Australian wine. We export all kinds of things, including – I was amazed to discover – boomerangs, made in the UK and exported to Australia,” he said. 

“I want a world in which we send you Marmite, you send us Vegemite. We send you Penguins and you send us, with reduced tariffs, these wonderful Arnott’s Tim Tams. 

“How long can the British people be expected to go without Arnott’s Tim Tams at a reasonable price?

“We share a language, we share a head of state, we are united by so much already. Let’s get this free trade agreement done.”

Mr Johnson – putting in his usual colourful performance – even had a packet of Tim Tams on hand at No 10 Downing St to wave as he pushes for the first post-Brexit deal.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham told The Australian there would be “competitive tension” between the United Kingdom and the European Union as to which economic area would be first to sign a free-trade agreement with Australia.

The Australia-EU talks have taken time, especially touching on the protectionist measures offered to French farmers, and debates over the protection of geographical names for various products, but a UK free trade deal could also strike challenges around the UK government assistance provided to British farmers.

The Prime Minister said in a video statement that he hoped to get a deal with Britain done this year and that an Australia-UK agreement could pave the way for a more trade-friendly world post-coronavirus. 

“We have a wonderful opportunity to supercharge our economic relationship. It will mean more jobs, more growth, more prosperity in both our countries. And more opportunities for Australian and UK citizens to live and work in each other’s countries, ultimately,” he said. 

“It will also demonstrate the determination of both our nations to open, not close, our markets in the post-COVID era. I can assure everyone that my good friend Boris Johnson and I will not settle for anything less than an ambitious and high quality deal that benefits both our nations. 

“And I am very confident that our respective trade ministers, Simon Birmingham and Liz Truss, will conclude the deal very quickly, possibly even by the end of this year or early in 2021.”