Brexit: Liam Fox warns he will refuse to back any extension to transition period
The trade secretary said, ‘I wouldn’t like to see that, nor would I support an extension’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Trade secretary Liam Fox has warned he will refuse to support any extension to the Brexit transition period, amid calls for more time for firms to adjust to EU withdrawal.
The cabinet minister said anything more than the current proposed 21-month period set out by negotiators would not be “popular”.
It comes as Theresa May started a tour of the country to talk to people and businesses in every nation of the UK to mark one year to go until Brexit.
Earlier this week, British firms urged ministers to push for an extension to the transition period, claiming they need three to five years to properly prepare for Brexit.
But quizzed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Fox said: “No I don’t think that’s likely to happen, I think the European Union have made it clear that that’s where they see the end of the process being.
“We understand that we need to get the British public’s support and that an extension would not be popular.”
Pushed on the issue, he said: “Well I wouldn’t like to see that, nor would I support an extension.”
Writing exclusively for The Independent on Thursday, Mr Fox said leaving the single market and customs union is “a golden opportunity” for the UK to capitalise on global trade.
He said: “It’s not only businesses that need to adapt to these changes – governments must also be dynamic to ensure their countries do not get left behind.
“The UK is already well-placed in this regard, and after Brexit we will look to position ourselves at the forefront of this new technological age when setting the terms of our own independent trade policy, outside the European Union.”
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Business West were to published a joint report this week saying firms are “deeply worried” about the costs of Brexit and the time left to adjust.
They said “a reasonable period for transition” would be between three and five years, allowing smaller firms, in particular, to roll with such challenges as new tariffs, non-tariff barriers, recruitment and training new staff.
Kicking off her tour, Ms May called on the four nations of the UK to come together and seize the “opportunities for the future” from Brexit.
She said: “I believe there are real opportunities for the United Kingdom when we leave the European Union, we are starting now the negotiations on what our trade arrangements and arrangements overall in our economic partnership will be with the EU 27 once we leave.”
The PM went on: “I believe we can negotiate a good agreement which is tariff-free and as frictionless trade as possible, so we maintain those markets in the EU, but also that we open up markets around the rest of the world.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments