LABOUR has conceded that Brexit Britain helped secure a better trade deal with America than Brussels.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted there was “absolutely no doubt” the UK was better off being separated from the European Union.
GettyBusiness Secreatry Jonathan Reynolds talks up the UK’s independent trade policy – away from the shackles of Brussels[/caption]
The comments come as EU products heading Stateside will be subject to a 15 per cent levy while UK goods will only face a 10 per cent surcharge.
He told Sky News: “All of the trade negotiations that we’ve got use the fact that we are not part of the customs union anymore, I’m absolutely clear of that. I think we can make the best of that.’
When asked if he would label it as a benefit to exiting the EU, he said: “I’m absolutely clear, I’ve said in Parliament many times, this is a benefit of being out of the European Union, having our independent trade policy, absolutely no doubt about that.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said back in April that Brexit had nothing to do with securing a better deal for escaping the worst of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Mr Reynolds also said there is “more to do” on UK steel when it comes to the UK-US trade deal.
The UK secured zero tariffs on steel but the US hasn’t enacted it yet as they have concerns over how it would actually work.
He said “it’s really important to have the president here” and the visit offers “a chance to do a bit of business”.
He added: “We were very happy to announce the breakthrough that we had a few months ago in relation to sectors like automotive, aerospace, which are really important to the UK economy.
“But we always said it was job saved, but it wasn’t job done. There’s more to do.
“The negotiations have been going on on a daily basis since then. There’s a few issues to push a little bit further today.
“We won’t perhaps have anything to announce a resolution of those talks, but there’s some sectors that we still need to resolve, particularly around steel and aluminium, and there’s the wider conversation about what the US calls its reciprocal tariffs.”
Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have agreed to work together on the deal following their meeting in Scotland, Number 10 said.
Meanwhile, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has been blasted over her negotiations for the deal which is worse than the UK pact.
Viktor Orban, the Hungarian leader, said: “Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast.”
France Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was a “dark day” for the submission to the US.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
