Brexit trade SHOCK: UK could be without EU deal for YEARS – 'Japan took four years'
EUROPEAN UNION Commissioner Jyrki Katainen suggested Britain could be without a post-Brexit trade deal long after the UK leaves the bloc, citing the length of negotiations for the Japan-EU partnership.
EU Commissioner hints Britain trade deal could take 'years'
Mr Katainen, Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, confirmed discussions had been held about potential future relationships between the EU and UK.
He, however, said the process “will take some time”, going against Brexit Secretary David Davis who said a deal should be complete before Britain’s March 2019 exit date.
Speaking to Bloomberg in Davos, Mr Katainen said: “We have had some discussions on possible trade agreements, but it will take some time.
“And, to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement is not an easy task, so it will take quite a while.”
Japan we negotiated for four years and America is already 20 years almost
The Finnish Commissioner said it was “difficult to say” how long a deal between the two parties would take to complete, but pointed toward other deals negotiated by the bloc.
He added: “We usually negotiate for years with other jurisdictions or other markets.
“With Japan, we negotiated for four years and America is already 20 years almost.
“But, of course, Brexit is a unique case because we are so close to each other, we know each other.”
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Mr Davis told the Commons’ Brexit committee he doesn’t expect “material negotiations” to occur during the transitional period after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.
The Brexit Secretary added he doesn’t expect “material negotiations” to occur two-year period, which goes against the comments of Mr Katainen.
Mr Davis is also expected to announce another victory as he is set to tell an audience the UK will be capable of signing trade deals during the transition phase.
EU bosses have said this would not be possible because the UK would remain in the bloc’s customs union and have to abide by its rules.
The Brexit Secretary will say: “As an independent country – no longer a member of the European Union – the United Kingdom will once again have its own trading policy.
“For the first time in more than 40 years, we will be able to step out and sign new trade deals with old friends, and new allies, around the globe.”