The Government has made agreeing a comprehensive free trade agreement (“FTA”) with Japan an early priority. Trade negotiations between the UK and Japan were officially launched on Tuesday 9 June 2020. The UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, and Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, began the first round of negotiations.
The UK-Japan trade deal is one of the first major trade agreements pursued by a post-Brexit UK, and the Government seeks to build on the EU-Japan EPA. This inquiry will focus on the Government’s aims and objectives, the progress of negotiations, and the possible impacts of a final deal for people and businesses across the UK. It is not yet known when the talks will conclude, but this inquiry will run for the duration of those talks.