London, United Kingdom – Trade talks between the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada have been halted after nearly two years of negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement. The decision comes as a result of a dispute over beef and cheese. Currently, trade between the two countries is conducted under the terms of a deal that was carried over from the UK’s time as a member of the European Union (EU). This time-limited agreement allowed the UK to continue selling cars and cheese without high import taxes.
However, discussions about extending these terms as part of a new deal have broken down, meaning that the UK’s trading terms with Canada will now be less favorable than those agreed upon under the EU deal. This marks the first time the UK has formally suspended talks with a trade partner since leaving the EU trading regime in 2021.
One of the main sticking points in the negotiations has been the issue of Canadian tariffs on British goods. Higher tariffs, including an increase of up to 245% on British cheese, have already come into effect. The UK government source stated that if Canada were to return to the negotiating table with a serious offer, they would be open to restarting talks.
The pause in negotiations has been met with disappointment from Canada’s trade minister, who expressed the view that the UK’s unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled progress. The two countries have a significant trade relationship, with goods trade between them valued at £19.2bn ($26.4bn) in 2020.
Farmers in the UK have welcomed the decision to suspend talks, as they believe it is essential to protect the country’s agriculture sector. The president of the Nation Farmers’ Union of England and Wales stated that the government’s firm stance in the negotiations is necessary to avoid further damage to the industry.
Despite this setback, both the UK and Canada have expressed openness to revisiting the talks in the future and building a stronger trading relationship. However, it remains to be seen whether any significant progress will be made in resolving the dispute over beef and cheese. The unresolved issues highlight the complexities and challenges of negotiating trade deals post-Brexit.
In conclusion, the suspension of trade talks between the UK and Canada serves as a reminder of the difficulties involved in establishing new trade agreements after leaving the EU. Both countries will need to reassess their positions and find common ground to overcome the obstacles that have led to this impasse. The future of their trade relationship hangs in the balance, but both parties have expressed a willingness to continue discussions in the hopes of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.