Boris Johnson plans for tariff-free access to UK market for Australia
The UK prime minister is keen for Australian farmers to get tariff-free access to the British market under a new free trade deal. But UK farmers aren’t happy about the proposal.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is prepared to offer Australia tariff-free access to British food markets.
According to The Times, Downing Street is backing a plan to give Australian food exporters the same terms as those enjoyed by the European Union, in what would be the first tailored trade deal signed by the UK government since it left the EU last year.
One of the UK’s best-known farmers, National Farmers Union president Minette Batters, has already expressed concern over the putative plan, which she said would set a precedent for future trade deals that would undercut British farmers.
British Trade Minister Liz Truss is keen in principle for a wide-ranging agreement to be reached as early as next month. Ms Truss met with Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan in London earlier this year to discuss the potential deal.
Australia pays tariffs of 20 per cent on all exports of beef to the UK.
Under plans being negotiated these would be phased out over the next 15 years to zero, in line with the terms for the European Union.
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