'BIGGER and BETTER' Tory Brexiteer calls for 'SUPER Canada' style Brexit deal
TORY Brexiteer David Bannerman has called for the UK to adopt a “super-Canada” style approach to the EU after it leaves the trading bloc.
David C Bannerman: UK should have adopt a 'super-Canada' deal
He said the recent CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) had paved the way for Britain’s future relations with the European Union.
The deal agreed in October last year removes 99 per cent of trade tariffs between the EU and Canada and officials hope the deal will generate an increase in trade worth or £9.8billion – C$12billion – a year.
EU exporters are expected to save up to €500million a year in duties.
Merkel thanks Trudeau for his help getting CETA ratified
I think we should have a super Canada deal as I call it – bigger and better than Canada
Mr Bannerman, the MEP for East of England, said: “Canada is a free sovereign nation, it’s just got access to 99 per cent of the EU single market with no freedom of movement, no fee to pay and we’re not asking Canada to join the EU.
“That’s the way we’re going to be and I think we should have a super Canada deal as I call it – bigger and better than Canada.
“I think now we have a sort of clean break, we’re not in the single market, we’re not in the customs union, we have a kind of Canada style arrangement with the EU that works, it’s simple.”
He said the likes of New Zealand and Australia were seeking to follow the footsteps of Canada, which secured the deal after seven years of negotiations and after all 28 EU member states endorsed the move.
After finalising the deal, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the arrangement “progressive”.
He said: “Canadians and Europeans share the understanding that in order for real and meaningful economic growth, we need to create more good, well-paying jobs for our citizens.
"Progressive trade agreements like the one signed today will do just that."
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the deal marked a ”new chapter" in relations between the EU and Canada.