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What will the UK-EU relationship be like if it follows the Australia model?


By PA News

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Boris Johnson has told the country it is time to “get ready” for an “Australia solution” to the post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union.

He made the comments in a media statement on Friday in which he said Brussels had “abandoned the idea of a free trade deal” after European leaders at their summit this week called on the UK to make the next move in order to break the deadlock.

Here is a look at what an Australia-style arrangement with the EU could look like for Britain.

– What does the Prime Minister mean by an ‘Australia solution’?

The Down Under relationship talked up by the Prime Minister is Downing Street language for a no-deal outcome with the UK’s largest trading partner.

Australia does not have a free trade agreement with the Brussels bloc, so the bulk of its trade is carried out on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms.

– What would the likely economic impact be?

If the UK followed suit at the end of the transition period on January 1, following WTO rules would mean tariffs being placed on many goods traded between the UK and the EU, with the addition of some quota restrictions and customs checks.

It should be noted also that the UK and the EU trade far more with each other than Europe and Australia do and cross-Channel trade is a more varied range of mainly complex manufactured goods, compared with Australia’s exports which are focused on raw materials.

The UK, for example, trades more than half of its goods into Europe, compared with just 11% for the southern hemisphere country.

– Could mini sector deals still be on the cards under Aussie-like relations?

While Australia does not have a free trade agreement in place with Brussels, it does have a series of agreements on trade and other areas.

Mr Johnson’s comments about being willing to discuss the “practicalities” on how aviation, road haulage and nuclear co-operation et al would work after the year is over seemed to suggest he too would be open to a series of mini-agreements to soften the no-deal landing.

For instance, Australia has agreements with the EU on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and scientific co-operation.

The Prime Minister has signalled that mini-deals with the EU could be possible to keep aviation flowing in a no-deal situation (Steve Parsons/PA)
The Prime Minister has signalled that mini-deals with the EU could be possible to keep aviation flowing in a no-deal situation (Steve Parsons/PA)

The pair also have a “mutual recognition agreement” so there is acceptance of each other’s safety certificates and product markings.

Canberra, meanwhile, negotiated an agreement on the trade of wine, a huge Australian export, in 2008.

Other arrangements are also in place to help combat crime and terrorism and to allow the exchange of classified information.

– Is Australia happy with not having a free trade deal with the EU?

Critics of Mr Johnson have highlighted that while his administration has been espousing the virtues of trading with Brussels on similar terms to Australia, the Commonwealth nation is in the process of attempting to negotiate better arrangements with the EU.

Someone should tell him that Australia is actually busy negotiating a trade deal with the EU
Carl Bildt, European Council on Foreign Relations

Carl Bildt, co-chairman of the European Council on Foreign Relations, tweeted: “Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks about an Australia situation which he means no-deal with the EU.

“He probably thinks it sounds better like that. Someone should tell him that Australia is actually busy negotiating a trade deal with the EU.”

Australia has been striving for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU since July 2018.

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