Australian trade minister says no trade deal until Brexit resolution
Steven Ciobo, Australia's trade minister, has poured cold water on claims that the UK could gain a fast-track trade deal with the country ahead of the European Union.
The Canberra government had previously talked up the prospects of a bilateral deal between the two countries, and prime minister Theresa May listed Australia as one of five nations keen to make trade deals with Britain at the G20 summit in Huangzhou, China.
However, Cioba said that any formal negotiations over a deal would most likely not take place until Britain had successfully arranged its departure from the EU.
The minister is in London for talks with international trade secretary Liam Fox, and told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that discussions with the European Union about a new agreement will take preference.
"My formal advice is that, and this is from the UK side, the UK is unable to negotiate or sign an agreement prior to the formal exit from the EU," Ciobo told the programme.
"Negotiating trade deals is fraught with complexity," Ciobo said. "There's always domestic sensitivities between negotiating parties, concern and consideration needs to be given to particular industries."
Theresa May is due to face questions from MPs on Wednesday as concern grows as to whether the government's strategy on Brexit is coherent and functioning.
Brexit minister David Davis has said that it is "very improbable" that Britain will be allowed greater control over its borders, as well as maintaining access to the free market, a view May has distanced herself from.