The international trade secretary said that the UK wants to sign a deal with its commonwealth partner that strengthens the global consensus for free trade, cuts tariffs for business and helps propel an exports-led, investment-led recovery across the UK.
After leaving the European Union on 31 January 2020, the UK embarked on trade negotiations with US, Japan, Australia, other countries, in an attempt to compensate for its departure from the European bloc.
So far, the UK government has inked post-Brexit trade deals with Japan, Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, among other countries, while negotiations with the United States and New Zealand still continue.
It has also formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.
According to the City A.M. financial newspaper, the UK-Australia free trade deal could be finalised by Easter.
Citing sources from the UK International Trade Ministry, the news outlet said that the deal will allow young UK citizens and business travellers greater opportunities to live and work in Australia and vice versa, and open up Australia´s market to UK telecommunications companies.