Liam Fox has (for a change) unfairly become the subject of much mockery this week, over his department’s plans for ‘Empire 2.0’. The name relates to the International Trade Secretary’s plot to boost trade links with African Commonwealth nations by promising developing nations that their trading relationships with the UK will not get worse after Brexit. Contrary to many online jokes, the name was not concocted by an egocentric International Trade Secretary, but instead Whitehall officials who think it is misguided to place too much importance on trade with the Commonwealth, compared with the EU.
It comes as the head of the Commonwealth secretariat has called for Britain to ‘go an awful lot faster’ in forging trading links with the 52-member group. Fox may well heed her advice. I understand that the department in general has become increasingly time conscious of late. While there have been stern warnings from the EU not to conduct formal trade talks while Britain is still a member, Fox’s team are keen to push the boundaries and begin what could end up being long and difficult trade talks.
Part of the reason for this urgency is concerns from the top down that they will be unable to deliver the number of deals expected in the tight time frame of Britain leaving the EU and the next general election. There are worries that there is a very real possibility that they may have signed only one trade deal by 2020.
As for the much-hyped America trade deal, there are two concerns. Firstly, that making a quick US deal would be a mistake as it would make agreeing to a proper one much harder (and this could take up to five years). Secondly, what the UK may need to give way on — whether it’s agricultural or healthcare — would be unpalatable to many, including Tory MPs. After all, President Trump didn’t write ‘Art of the Deal’ because he thinks sharing is caring.
It’s these issues that will keep Fox up at night — above any backlash over ‘Empire 2.0’.
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