Brexit: It will take years for UK to agree new trade deals says WTO economist

In the meantime the country will be exposed to much higher import tariffs

Farming is one of many areas requiring new trade deals after Brexit (Getty)

It could take the UK “many years” to establish fresh trade deals with fellow members of the World Trade Organisation once it has left the European Union, the chief economist of the Geneva-based body said.

Now inside the WTO as one of the EU’s 28 nations, leaving the bloc will require the UK to submit its own schedule of tariffs for the approval of trade partners, all of whom must agree to them.

At that point, any of the other WTO members can flag issues, forcing the UK into a series of talks that could take years to resolve, said Robert Koopman.

“My sense is they are there to negotiate and are likely to find some things to negotiate,” Koopman told a conference in London on Monday. “It could take a long time.”

The economist noted it takes about five or six years to strike trade deals. In the meantime, the UK would be exposed to an average WTO levy of 5.3 per cent and more than double that amount for some items including cars, clothes and spirits.

“Every WTO member is going to be able to look and say it does affect me,” Koopman said. “Members are looking out for their interests.”

The UK is planning to use its international aid budget to curry favor among developing countries it hopes will assist them in any trade talks, Bloomberg reported last week. Trade Secretary Liam Fox said last month he would not let slow progress in talks at the WTO hold back his global trade agenda.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Monday said the risk of higher tariffs was a reason to stay inside the single market despite the signals from the government it is willing to go it alone.

Bloomberg