January 30, 2024

Canada and UK stop trade discussions with disagreement over dairy imports, exports

Both Canada and the United Kingdom have put a halt to their trade discussions after they couldn't come to an agreement over dairy products.

The British government has called off post-Brexit trade talks with Canada after discussions broke down over disagreements related to the import and export of beef and cheese. The countries have been negotiating a new trade deal over the past two years since the UK fully left the European Union. Trade between the two has largely continued under the same deal that was originally brokered when the UK was a member of the bloc.

In a statement last week, the UK government said it "remains open" to restarting talks in the future, but there has been no progress so far.

Over time, as the discussions progressed, Canadian negotiators came under mounting pressure from their beef industry and domestic cheesemakers. Canada's trade minister, Mary Ng, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Canadian government "will never agree to a deal that isn't good for our workers, farmers and businesses."

Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales, praised the British government, especially over its apparent refusal to allow hormone-linked beef to be imported into Britain.

"Trade in agricultural products is always the first thing to be discussed and the last thing to be agreed," she said. "I am pleased the government has stuck to its line and not given way."

- Euronews