Rishi Sunak said the UK is “not there yet” on agreeing a major post-Brexit trade deal.
The UK is negotiating to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and reports have suggested a deal to become part of the Indo-Pacific trade bloc could be imminent.
The Prime Minister said that “fantastic progress” had been made in the negotiations but an agreement has not yet been finalised.
Speaking during a visit to the UK Atomic Energy Authority in Oxfordshire this morning, the Prime Minister said: “We’ve made fantastic progress in the negotiations about CPTPP but we’re not there yet.
“But taking a step back, this is a great benefit of Brexit, our ability to go and sign exciting trade deals around the world.
“If we are able to accede to the CPTPP trade deal, that will be an exciting moment for the UK, great opportunity for all our businesses to export to a massive and fast-growing market and again just demonstrates the Government getting on with things that are going to make life better, create jobs across the country and deliver the benefits of Brexit.”
A deal on joining the trade bloc would give UK businesses easier access to tens of millions of middle-class consumers and a $10 trillion market. It is thought a deal could be announced as soon as tomorrow.
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