Britain races to establish the continuity of Free Trade Deals

The Swiss/British trade continuity agreement signed on Monday leads the scramble to try and ensure the continuity of at least 40 No. free trade deals which Britain currently has access to through an EU free trade deal.  The government has admitted behind closed doors that it is not expected to be possible to replace all the deals before the 29 March, the Brexit deadline.  Such a situation leaves British businesses with no choice but to rely on the  World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules which will carry higher costs in the shape of border tariffs.   Department for International Trade said: “Our priority is to avoid disruption to our global trading relationships as we leave the European Union and we are seeking continuity for existing free trade agreements.”