Britain, Australia announce free trade deal

Britain and Australia announced a trade deal on Tuesday that will eliminate tariffs and red tape, hailed by British prime minister Boris Johnson as "a new dawn" in the two countries' relations.

The British government sees the deal as an important piece of its post-Brexit trade and diplomatic strategy to shift the country's economic centre away from Europe and seek out new opportunities in higher-growth Indo-Pacific nations.

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and Johnson overcame sticking points during talks after the Group of Seven meeting in Britain over the weekend, which Morrison attended as a guest.

"Today marks a new dawn in the UK's relationship with Australia, underpinned by our shared history and common values," Johnson said in a statement.

Britain is Australia's eighth-largest trading partner and Australia is Britain 20th largest, with two-way trade worth A$26.9 billion ($20.7 billion).

Prior to Britain joining the then European common market in 1973, Britain was Australia's most lucrative trading market.

Though details have yet to emerge, some official estimates say the agreement could add 500 million pounds ($705.7 million) to British economic output over the long term - a small fraction for an economy worth around 2 trillion pounds.

Nevertheless, it was hailed as an important stepping stone as Britain develops its own trade policy for the first time in decades following its departure from the European Union.

"It is a fundamentally liberalising agreement that removes tariffs on all British goods, opens new opportunities for our services providers and tech firms, and makes it easier for our people to travel and work together," British trade minister Liz Truss said.

The deal will be scrutinised by British farmers, who fear they could be forced out of business if the deal eliminates tariffs on lamb and beef imports from Australia. The government said British farmers would be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years.

Australian minister for trade David Littleproud declined to reveal details but said Australian farmers would benefit from the deal.

"Overall, this is going to be a great win for Australian agriculture," Littleproud told 4BC Radio

Australia's economy is, however, already focused on Asia.

"This free trade agreement is more about symbolism than immediately tangible material benefits," said Ben Wellings, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.