Trade officials from the UK and Japan start......>

UK: Trade officials from the UK and Japan start negotiations on a free trade

agreement between the two countries today, after Japan decided against allowing

trade between the two countries to continue under the same terms as the Japan-EU

FTA once the UK leaves the Brexit transition period at end-2020.

- If no agreement is reached by 31 Dec, the UK and Japan will revert to trading

on WTO terms thereafter.

- UK International Trade Sec. Liz Truss has stated the gov'ts intention to

develop a more comprehensive FTA with Japan than the one in place between Japan

and the EU, going further on digital trace, services, and support for small

businesses.

- UK trade officials see an FTA with Japan as a stepping stone towards

eventually joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific

Partnership, which includes Japan, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand

among others.