UK government open to trade deal that removes tariffs on food

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country was open to a trade deal with Australia that would remove tariffs on food imports.

After being asked by Scottish and Welsh MPs on Wednesday, the PM declined to rule out eliminating tariffs on meat and said that there were great things British farmers could do with free trade deals.

“Why is he so frightened of free trade?” Johnson asked Ian Blackford of the Scottish National Party. “There’s a massive opportunity for Scotland and for the whole of the UK and he should seize it.”

The proposal has raised concerns from local farmers which could be put out of business if Australian imports are cheaper.

A trade deal with Australia is one of the government’s key post-Brexit objectives, alongside ongoing negotiations with the US and New Zealand. Both sides expect to conclude the pact by the time of the G-7 summit in June.