Katy Balls Katy Balls

The political advantages of the UK-Australia trade deal

Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson (photo: Number 10 / Andrew Parsons)

The UK government has agreed its first bespoke trade deal since leaving the EU. After Boris Johnson met with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday night, a deal has been agreed between the two sides. The deal on the table offers tariff free trade for all British goods, enhanced access for British tech companies and ought to make it easer for Britons under the age of 35 to travel and work in Australia. As for the Cabinet row over whether an influx of Australian meat could threaten the livelihoods of UK farmers, a 15-year cap on tariff-free imports has been agreed – though the specifics are yet to be published.

The deal shows that free marketeers in government are still being heard

So, what does this mean for the country? One of the aspects of the deal that ministers believe will have a noticeable effect on people’s lives are the mobility and travel provisions that will mean young Brits no longer need to agree to a few months agricultural work to get a two year visa.

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