UK sets out EU trade vision for post-Brexit era

LONDON

The U.K. is now emerging after “decades of hibernation,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday, setting out Britain’s vision for future trade relations with the EU.

Johnson’s remarks came three days after the country left the bloc after nearly a half-century of membership.

“We have ended a debate that has run for three-and-a-half years – some would say 47 years,” Johnson said, referring to the June 2016 referendum that led to Britain’s exit.

“We have the opportunity, we have the newly recaptured powers, we know where we want to go, and that is out into the world.”

Speaking in Greenwich, London, Johnson said Britain would sign trade deals with many countries across the globe, citing New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, which he said the U.K. had turned back to since the 1970s.

Johnson also spoke about a pending trade deal with the U.S., saying that "the US already buys one-fifth of everything we export."

"We will get going with our friends in America and I share the optimism of [President] Donald Trump,” he said, further urging: “I say to all the naive and juvenile anti-Americans in this country if there are any – there seem to be some – I say grow up – and get a grip."

‘Beyond trade’

The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier earlier on Monday said they are seeking an “ambitious” partnership with the U.K.

Johnson said the trade agreement with the EU will go "beyond trade," as aviation and fisheries could also be discussed, but the U.K. must control “our own waters".

“There is no need for a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules... any more than the EU should be obliged to accept U.K. rules,” Johnson said.

Signaling that he wants a fresh start after the rocky years following the referendum, he said, referring to Brexit, "I won’t even mention the name of the controversy except to say that it begins with B."

The debate is "receding in the past behind us," he added.

He said the U.K. would want a trade deal similar to the one between Canada and the EU.

“We have so often been told that we must choose between full access to the EU market along with accepting its rules and its courts, or a free trade agreement... like the Canada deal,” he explained.

“I hope you've got the message by now, we've made a choice, we want a comprehensive free trade agreement, similar to Canada's.”

Johnson will make a similar statement in the House of Commons later on Monday, setting out detailed vision for the U.K. for the economic relationship with the EU in post-Brexit era.