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<p>As set out in the White Paper of 12<sup>th</sup> July 2018, and oral statement
to Parliament delivered by my Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade on 16<sup>th</sup> July, the UK is preparing for an independent trade policy,
including the ability to pursue bilateral trade agreements following EU exit on 29<sup>th</sup>
March 2019.</p><p>This includes the possibility to negotiate free trade agreements
with the US, Australia and New Zealand, and potentially seeking accession to the Comprehensive
and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).</p><p>The Department
for International Trade is committed to ensuring an inclusive and transparent trade
policy. On 20<sup>th</sup> July 2018, it launched 14-week online public consultations.
They provide everyone with an opportunity to share their views on these four potential
future free trade agreements. The results of the initial consultations will inform
the overall approach to our future trade relationship with the US, Australia, New
Zealand and the CPTPP. If we launch formal negotiations with those partners, we will
continue to engage with stakeholders on specific issues which may arise in the negotiation
process.</p><p>The Department is putting in place the appropriate mechanisms to ensure
that due consideration is given to responses, so that they effectively inform our
overall approach to negotiations with partner countries. Before entering into any
formal negotiations the Government will publish an outline approach setting out the
high level objectives.</p><p> </p>
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