Theresa May Hails 'First Step' to Trade Deal After Xi Jinping Talks

BBC ^ | 2/1

[nickcarraway]

Theresa May has agreed a joint trade and investment review with China as the first step towards an "ambitious" post-Brexit deal, Downing Street said.

The prime minister said "we will be free to strike our own trade deals" after leaving the EU, following talks with China's President Xi Jinping.

Mr Xi said China's markets would be further opened to the UK, including in beef, dairy and other food products.

Mrs May said £9bn in business deals would be signed on her three-day trip.

There was no specific discussion of a particular model for a trade deal between the two countries after Brexit during the two leaders' 80 minute meeting, Downing Street said.

But the point of the review agreed by the two countries was to look at what model could work best, a spokesman said.

Mrs May and Mr Xi also discussed their shared determination to end illegal nuclear activity by North Korea and agreed that denuclearisation was the objective, Downing Street said.

[Crucial]

A powerful China and a limping Britain. My, how times have changed.

[butlerweave]

Theresa May takes First step with Yogi Bear and he steals her Picnic basket

[KyCats]

May should have been spending even waking moment since she took office lining up trade deals outside of the EU. Instead she’s spent all of her time saying “Thank you Jean-Claude! May I have another.” Pathetic PM.