UK Launches FTA Negotiations With Australia, New Zealand

The United Kingdom began trade negotiations and released negotiating objectives for Australia and New Zealand June 17. The U.K. said the launch of negotiations with both countries is a “logical step” toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The deals will help the U.K. “diversify our trade, increase the resilience of our supply chains and ensure the UK is less vulnerable to political and economic shocks in certain parts of the world,” Trade Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.