Roberto Azevêdo, director-general of the World Trade Organization, held informal talks with Liam Fox in Geneva yesterday to discuss how the organisation could help in creating a smooth Brexit Salvatore Di Nolfi/APLiam Fox today gave the clearest indication yet that the government is pursuing a “hard Brexit” strategy by putting new free trade deals ahead of remaining in the joint European customs union. In his first visit to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, the international trade secretary said Brexit meant that Britain would pursue a more liberalised trade agenda outside the European Union. He added that while the UK hoped that Europe would succeed and be a vibrant partner, the government wanted to be free to shape a more transparent, open and liberal trading environment. Mr Fox held informal…

Source: The Times September 27, 2016 15:56 UTC