Brexit Britain secures mega trade deal 12 times faster than EU in humiliation for Brussels | Politics | News

Brexit Britain has struck a huge trade deal 12 times quicker than the EU took to secure a similar agreement.

The UK reached an agreement for a deal with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) bloc in two years.

Meanwhile, the EU has been in negotiations with the South American MERCOSUR block for a staggering 9,278 days (25 years).

After all that time, Brussels still has not reached a deal.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch secured the deal last year when she was Business Secretary.

She said: “I’m delighted to be here in New Zealand to sign a deal that will be a big boost for British businesses and deliver billions of pounds in additional trade, as well as open up huge opportunities and unparalleled access to a market of over 500 million people.

“We are using our status as an independent trading nation to join an exciting, growing, forward-looking trade bloc, which will help grow the UK economy and build on the hundreds of thousands of jobs CPTPP-owned businesses already support up and down the country.”

The EU is also struggling to negotiate a trade deal with Australia.

The UK secured its deal with Australia in 2021 just 18 months after talks started.

At the time, then International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Today we demonstrate what the UK can achieve as an agile, independent sovereign trading nation.

“This is just the start as we get on the front foot and seize the seismic opportunities that await us on the world stage.”

However, Australia pulled out of talks with the EU last year after five years of negotiations.

Don Farrell, Australian Trade Minister, said at the time: “I came to Osaka with the intention to finalise a free trade agreement. Unfortunately, we have not been able to make progress.

“Negotiations will continue, and I am hopeful that one day we will sign a deal that benefits both Australia and our European friends.”