Liam Fox suggests Britain will become independent member of WTO post-Brexit

Britain continuing to trade with the EU will be “at least as free” when the country leaves the trading block as it is today, the international trade secretary said on Thursday, as he welcomed the chance to become an independent member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and for a ‘hard Brexit’.

Speaking to business leaders in Manchester, Dr Liam Fox, who campaigned to Leave in the referendum, said it was in the interest of other EU countries to avoid paying tariffs on imports and exports as it would “harm the people of Europe”.

He said free trade had “transformed the world for the better” and Britain has a “golden opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves” and trade with the rest of the world, in particular emerging markets.

There has been debate about whether Britain should push for a ‘soft Brexit’ – maintain access to the single market but adhere to the principles of the free movement of people, or ‘hard Brexit’ – leave the single market, restrict free movement and trade under WTO rules.

Fox said: “Through the WTO the UK has helped pushed through the trade facilitation agreement which, once implemented, could add over £70bn to the global economy annually, of which £1bn will come to the UK.

“As a newly independent WTO member outside the EU, we will continue to fight for trade liberalisation as well as potentially helping developing markets trade their way out of poverty by giving them preferential access to our markets.”

Fox added: “The UK is a full and founding member of the WTO, though we have chosen to be represented by the EU in recent years. As we establish our independent position post-Brexit, we will carry the standard of free and open trade as a badge of honour.”

He also defended comments he made in early September that Britain “is not the free-trading nation it once was. We have become too lazy and too fat” and business executives preferred playing “golf on Friday afternoon” than trying to improve the country’s prosperity.

"What I said was as a country we have been too willing to rest upon the achievements of previous generations. I think the figures speak for themselves."

Fox, who was a GP before entering parliament, added: "When I was a doctor my job was not to tell people what they wanted to hear, it was to tell people what they needed to hear in order to put things right."

Brexit means Brexit, means what?

Theresa May has said that “Brexit means Brexit” but has remained guarded over the exact terms Britain will negotiate regarding the single market and free movement, as she said she would not provide a “running commentary” on Brexit. But she has been urged to give greater clarity and detail.

Former education secretary Nicky Morgans told BBC Radio4’s Today programme that May should say when she will trigger Article 50, the clause to formally begin two-year divorce proceedings with the EU, and said that there was “a lack of a plan coming from the government”.

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said it would be "impossible to give to British people more rights than other people outside the EU”.

Renzi added leaving the EU would be a "very difficult process", but negotiations and problems could only be dealt with after the UK formally begins to leave the trading block.

Ben Digby, international director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said it was “encouraging” to see the government make a case for free trade and partnership between UK businesses and government would inject the confidence needed to take advantage of the opportunities available in Europe and around the world.

He stressed that “redefining our economic and trading links with Europe must be the first priority”, as the continent is Britain’s biggest trading partner and the terms of exit from the EU would help to shape what future trade deals would look like.