May: UK will lead world in free trade

Theresa May said the UK could become “the global leader in free trade” as she faced calls to clarify the government’s post-Brexit vision.

Making a G20 summit statement, the PM refused to give a “running commentary” or “reveal our hand prematurely”.

She was speaking in the Commons after Australia and the UK began “preliminary discussions” about a new trade deal.

Australian trade minister Steven Ciobo predicted an agreement between the countries “when the time is right”.

But with the UK unable to sign deals while still in the European Union, he said an agreement would not be able to happen until the UK left the EU in two-and-a-half years’ time.

BBC