Economy

S. Korea, UK agree to sign free trade deal ahead of Brexit

Deal includes keeping zero-tariffs on South Korean exports such as auto parts and automobiles

South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee (L) and British counterpart Liam Fox (R) arrive for signing of a document of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Britain. Photograph: KIM CHUL-SOO/EPA

Mon Jun 10 2019 - 06:44

South Korea and Britain have agreed in principle to sign a separate free trade deal ahead of Britain’s exit from the European Union in late October, South Korea’s trade ministry said on Monday.

The deal would help South Korea minimise trade uncertainty and maintain trade with Britain based on Seoul’s existing free trade agreement with the EU, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement.

The deal includes keeping zero-tariffs on South Korean exports such as auto parts and automobiles, the ministry said.

South Korea will also prepare responses to other possible scenarios including a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, the ministry added. Britain’s EU membership is due to end on Oct. 31, with or without a deal. If a deal has not been agreed and ratified by then, the government will face the choice of leaving without a deal, seeking more time or cancelling Brexit altogether.

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South Korea will seek approval from its parliament and ratify the trade pact with Britain before October 31st, the ministry said. As of 2018, South Korean exports to Britain amounted to about $6.4 billion in 2018, making up 1.05 per cent of the country's total exports, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association. – Reuters

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