The UK is “closing in on” striking an agreement in principle with New Zealand, the international trade secretary has said.<\/p>\n

Liz Truss<\/strong> said “great progress” had been made in the sixth round of discussions between the two sides, which took place from 19 to 30 July.<\/p>\n

“We’re closing in on an agreement in principle, with six more chapters now complete,” she said.<\/p>\n

“The UK and New Zealand share core values, a long history and a commitment to free trade.<\/p>\n

“I want a modern agreement that pushes new frontiers in areas like green and digital trade.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Department for International Trade (DfIT) said an agreement could remove tariffs on goods, reducing costs for consumers and facilitating access for UK services and investment.<\/p>\n

Ms Truss added that a deal with New Zealand would represent an “important step” towards the UK becoming a part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a £9trn free trade area of 11 Asia-Pacific nations.<\/p>\n

“Membership would open up new opportunities for our Great British businesses, farmers and services, giving them access to some of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world.”<\/p>\n

The prospect of a trade deal with New Zealand comes after an agreement was struck between the UK and Australia last month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It was the first trade pact negotiated from scratch after Brexit.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Boris Johnson hailed the deal as a “new dawn” in the UK’s relationship with Australia that would make a range of goods cheaper to sell, but farming groups had raised concerns about being undercut and warned that it could imperil livelihoods<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The DfIT said environmental protections and food standards will not be compromised in pursuit of free trade agreements.<\/p>\n

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