Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, responding to the news that Canada is not prepared to roll over the CETA Agreement in the event of the U.K. leaving the EU with No Deal, said:

 “Today’s revelation that Canada will not agree to roll over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK shows just how stubborn and ideological Fox has been in preparing our future trade relations.

 “The Canadians have recognised that such an arrangement gives their exporters a significant advantage and that the government’s foolish approach will ensure that they do not have to offer trade preferences in return. A No Deal Brexit means that our exporters face being shut out of core markets or having huge tariffs levied on their goods whilst importers into our market will not. Quite simply, it will be impossible to compete.

 “Those campaigning to be our next Prime Minister must immediately rule out a No Deal Brexit and ensure that this situation cannot be allowed to arise.”

Ends