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The United Kingdom seals off on major post-Brexit trade deal with Japan

The United Kingdom has sealed off on its first major post-Brexit trade deal after signing an agreement with Japan that will take effect from January 1 when the Post-Brexit transition period will end.

Liz Truss, the UK’s international trade secretary, signed the agreement with Toshimitsu Motegi, the Japanese foreign minister, in Tokyo on Friday.

During a joint press conference with Mr Motegi, Ms Truss said: “It used to be said that an independent UK would not be able to strike major trade deals or they would take years to conclude,

“But today we prove the naysayers wrong with this groundbreaking, British-shaped deal that was agreed in record time.”

HM’s government said the deal would support UK car and rail manufacturing jobs, lower tariffs on products like pork, beef and salmon, and British consumers would get access to cheaper, high-quality Japanese goods.

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director general, said: “The signing of the UK’s first independent trade agreement is a milestone for our economy and will be welcomed by businesses in many sectors.

“This deal has the potential to support jobs across the country through lifting British farming exports and supporting our manufacturing and services sectors. Consumers will also benefit through greater choice.”

As attention turns to talks reopening between the United Kingdom and European Union about a potential trade deal, Allie Renison, senior policy advisor at the Institute of Directors, said: “This standalone trade deal (with Japan) could be the cherry on top if the UK manages to land an EU deal as we exit the transition period.”

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