May visits Japan with 'lofty' goal of mirroring EU trade deal
Will PM's three-day trip allay Brexit fears and strengthen ties with Tokyo?
Theresa May began a short trip to Japan today, telling reporters that the UK wants to retain the terms of a nearly-finalised EU-Japan trade deal post-Brexit.
"There's obviously a number of trade deals that the EU has with other countries and we are looking at the possibility of those being able to be brought over into… trade deals with the United Kingdom," the Prime Minister said.
But persuading Japan to agree to trade with Britain on the same terms as the EU is a "lofty goal", Bloomberg writes. Prior to May's visit, Japanese officials said there would not be "substantial progress" on a trade deal until the UK's future relationship with the EU was clarified, dashing May's hopes, the Financial Times reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Senior government minister Yasutoshi Nishimura suggested yesterday that Japan needed the British Prime Minister to ease a "sense of crisis" among businesses that are heavily invested in the UK.
Japan's direct investment in the UK is more than £71bn. This consists of more than 1,000 Japanese businesses and 140,000 staff, the Daily Telegraph reports.
May is travelling with Industry Secretary Liam Fox, 15 UK business executives and the director general of the Confederation of British Industry and Trade.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published