Boris Johnson says Australia Brexit trade deal can boost coronavirus recovery

Boris Johnson said a trade deal between the UK and Australia would bring the countries “closer together than ever before” as the UK government declared its objective to join the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons in Londo. Picture: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/AFP via Getty Images

The government hopes trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, who are both in the TPP, will aid the coronavirus recovery by opening up new markets for businesses and creating 
jobs.

Mr Johnson, in a video posted on Twitter “inaugurating” the post-Brexit talks with Australia, said: “There is a huge amount we can do, whether it is on financial services or across all the sectors of our free trade agreement.

“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, Australia and the UK coming closer together than ever 
before.”

Mr Johnson also joked 
about wanting to be able to trade McVitie’s Penguin chocolate biscuits in exchange for Australian Tim Tams, a similar style of confectionery that is popular Down Under, as part of any fresh bilateral terms.

“How long can the British people be deprived of the opportunity to have Arnott’s Tim Tams at a reasonable price?” he asked.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, announcing the government’s negotiation stance, said pivoting towards the Asia-Pacific region would diversify trade and increase the resilience of UK supply chains.

Government analysis 
suggests the value of UK exports to the two countries could increase by £1 billion – but the figure is a fraction of £350bn value of UK-EU 
trade.

Britain is seeking to sign trade deals which can come into force after December 31, when the Brexit transition period ends. Talks with the EU, US and Japan are ongoing. The first round of trade talks between the UK, Australia and New Zealand is expected to begin - via video conference - in the coming 
weeks.

Australia trade minister Simon Birmingham said the UK’s membership of the European Union had caused trade between the two nations to stall. He told reporters: “There is no doubt Australia was a casualty from the UK’s entry into the European Economic Community. In 1973, the UK was Australia’s third-largest two-way goods partner. Now it is our 
12th.”