As such, they would be nervous of any moves that resulted in Britain crashing out of the EU on to World Trade Organisation rules. Senior British negotiators are likely to draw on statistics that highlight countries that trade services with the UK in order to press their case. The key commission adviser told an event in London that every trade deal was bespoke, but also made clear that the advantages of the single market could only be secured by accepting the obligations. An academic, Dr Peter Holmes of the UK Trade Policy Observatory at Sussex University, said that ultimately the UK would have to accept what the EU offered, but added that Canada was not the only template. It includes some services provisions and mutual recognition but offers less good market access than the European Economic Area,” he said.

Source: The Guardian December 18, 2017 20:45 UTC