Off Topic: Israel is the first country to finalize post-Brexit trade deal with UK

The United Kingdom agreed “in principle” to a post-Brexit free trade agreement with Israel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

UK’s Secretary for International Trade Liam Fox announced the decision on Wednesday together with Israel’s Economy Minister, Eli Cohen.

“I’m delighted that as Britain prepares to leave the European Union and to ensure continuity for our businesses in both directions, we’ve reached agreement in principle today with our colleagues in Israel,” Fox said.

“Israel has been one of the most cooperative and productive partners in this relationship where our trade is already strong and set to go further,” he added. “For us, the continuity as we leave the European Union will be a precursor to an even more ambitious agreement in the future.”

Cohen commented that Israel’s trade with Britain in was valued at more than £10 billion in 2018, and expressed his hopes that, “this free trade agreement will accelerate, increase and strengthen our economic relationship.”

Israel has been in talks with the UK for more than a year to ensure that there is continuity in trade between Israel and the UK once Brexit is enforced, according to Yariv Becher, the Economy and Industry Ministry’s commercial attaché in London.

Currently Israeli trade with the UK is governed by its free trade agreement with the EU but Britain is likely making a “no-deal” exit from the European Union.

Britain’s exit from the EU places the government under pressure to form its own trade agreements, but they cannot sign them until they officially leave the European Union.

Herb Keinon contributed to this report.

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