Japan and Britain’s broad agreement on a bilateral free trade pact has come as a relief for both sides as the clock ticks down to the UK's transition out of the European Union, which is due in just a few months. Newsletter.co.uk reports that Armagh bramley apples are among the iconic Northern Irish products that could benefit from the new arrangement.
The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was agreed in principle by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Japan Foreign Minister on a video call yesterday (Friday, September 11). It is the UK’s first major trade deal outside the EU.
Bilateral trade is currently conducted under the EU-Japan deal that came into effect last year, but that agreement will no longer apply to Britain from Dec. 31.
The new deal secures additional benefits beyond the EU-Japan trade deal, including a way for Northern Irish products to be officially recognised. By increasing geographical indications (GIs) from just seven under the terms of the EU-Japan deal to potentially over 70 under the UK-Japan agreement, this would lead to improved recognition of key UK brands in the Japanese market.
