A free trade deal between the United Kingdom and New Zealand is reportedly just weeks away from becoming a reality according to sources close to the negotiations.
According to reports in the Sun, round three of talks started yesterday with trade officials from both sides confident a free trade deal could be finished by Easter.
Wine imports are set to become cheaper while British producers will send the New Zealanders more gin with overall trade between the two nations worth nearly £3billion in 2019.
Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade, told The Sun: “We have made great progress so far, and I look forward to taking negotiations up a gear in the third round.”
She added: “New Zealand is a vital ally that shares our belief in free enterprise, democracy and the importance of being tough on countries who don’t play fair.
“We want a deal that shows what post-Brexit Britain is capable of, pushing new frontiers in areas like digital and data and the environment, and supporting jobs across the country.
“An agreement would be another important step towards joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, one of the world’s biggest free trade areas, spanning 11 Pacific nations from Canada to Japan.
“Membership would open unheralded opportunities for British business and give them access to some of the massive consumer markets of the present and future, ultimately creating jobs and driving the economic recovery from Covid here at home.”
The Sun revealed a source close to the talks said: “Kiwi wine would be cut to 0 per cent tariffs – so should mean cheaper Oyster Bay and Marlborough wine for punters.
“The deal isn’t done yet, but we’ve made good progress.
“We hope to get a deal over the line within the next few months, and maybe sooner if things go well.
“There’s no deadline, and we’ll only do a deal that works for all of Britain, but the ambition is to get it done for Easter.
“The deal has flown a little under the radar, but it’s an important one and potentially really valuable.”
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