Boris Johnson and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison ‘agree trade deal between the two countries during Downing Street dinner’ – the first negotiated from scratch post-Brexit
- Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed trade deal
- Two leaders have agreed broad terms of pact over dinner in Downing Street
- could be first trade deal negotiated from scratch since the UK’s exit from EU
Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have agreed the broad terms of a post-Brexit trade deal, according to reports.
Mr Johnson and his Australian counterpart were said to have agreed the pact over dinner in Downing Street ahead of a formal announcement set to take place on Tuesday.
Downing Street did not deny the reports and, if confirmed, the agreement would be the first trade deal negotiated from scratch since the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison were said to have agreed the pact over dinner in Downing Street
Industry leaders have raised concerns over possible compromises on food standards, while farmers fear they could be undercut by cut-price imports.
A split in the Cabinet also appeared between International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Environment Secretary George Eustice, who has concerns about the impact on farmers.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove also harbours fears a deal could fuel demands for Scottish and Welsh independence.
Mr Morrison has previously spoken repeatedly of his ambition to honour the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries and was pivotal in seeking a quick deal with the UK, prioritising talks on his current trip to the country.
‘The Brexit that has occurred is an opportunity for us to pick up where we left off… and to once again realise the scale of the trading relationship we once had,’ the Australian Prime Minister said at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Monday.
The agreement would be the first trade deal negotiated from scratch since the UK’s exit from the European Union
‘And who better to do it than with Australia? Who better would understand the issues and sensitivities that have to be worked through?
‘This indeed is a special relationship and one… I think can be greatly enhanced by these additional steps.’
It comes after a damning report showed piece-rate workers on grape and zucchini farms in Australia sometimes earn as little as $9 per day while blueberry farm workers can earn just $10 per day, according to a survey of 1,300 pickers by Unions NSW and the Migrant Workers’ Centre.