Australia “very keen” to negotiate trade deal with EU

malcolm turnbull
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 - BERLIN: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a press conference

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he is “very keen” to negotiate a trade deal with the UK, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union.

Turnbull held a press conference at Number 10 Downing Street, where he is currently holding talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May. He told journalists he was keen to secure a deal with Britain “as quickly as possible”, saying:

“We move quickly. Australians are fleet of foot. We don’t muck around. We’re very simple. So we will move as quickly as the UK will move.”

The UK cannot negotiate trade deals with other countries until after it formally leaves the European Union, but has already set up a working party to look at the issues involved.

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The UK and Australia already have strong links through the Commonwealth and the “five eyes” intelligence alliance. During the conference, May confirmed her cooperation with Brexit trade negotiations and said that she wanted “the broadest possible consensus” to ensure the best outcome for Britain.