LONDON — The U.K.'s business minister said Monday that securing trade deals with India and Gulf nations remains "the priority" for the Labour government, with talks between Britain and the Gulf Corporation Council expected to resume as soon as next week.
U.K. Business and Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds told CNBC that negotiations with a six-strong group of Gulf countries would reconvene "very soon — maybe as soon as next week," while talks with India also remain a priority.
U.K. free trade deals were touted as a key benefit of Brexit, with former Prime Minister and Brexiteer Boris Johnson vowing to secure one with India "by Diwali" 2022.
The trade minister has also previously said that the government was pursuing trade talks with Israel, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey.
"It's important to recognize, whilst we don't do foreign policy through trade deals, British engagement commercially – country to country, business to business – is in itself a good thing," he said.
Persons:
of Trade Jonathan Reynolds, Jonathan Reynolds, Reynolds, Boris Johnson, It's, Sunil Barthwal
Organizations:
State, Business, Trade, of Trade, Labour, Gulf Corporation, CNBC, Investment, London's, Conservative, GCC, United, United Arab Emirates
Locations:
London, United Kingdom, India, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey