With the post-Brexit referendum, China is still seen as the biggest player when it comes to British food and drink, says a government minister on Wednesday.
Secretary of State for Environment, Farming, and Rural Affairs Andrea Leadsom said that there are big players in the global level. During the Farmer's conference in Oxford, Leadsom expressed that British food and drink can go beyond the European Union market and China is recognized for that matter.
As part of their International Action Plan, the United Kingdom included in sending export team based in China. They identified that Chinese people have an increasing enthusiasm for British food and drink. With emphasis, the U.K. projected in a report that British food and drink manufacturing is the largest among all industries in the country.
Liam Fox, British trade minister, said that the post-Brexit market is doing a good deal of U.K. since it will enable them to set up free trade with China and even Hong Kong.
"After Brexit, Britain is looking more outward from Europe. When we have the freedom to set rules outside of the restrictions of the EU, we will promote a more liberal global free trade agenda," Fox said in an interview.
The United Kingdom was a member of the European Union since 1973, and even then they encountered several trade barriers. This is the result of a strict trade regulation by the EU, including acquiescence requirement and the free flow of goods and services.
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's recent rant about One-China Policy is a contributing fuel for Britain in getting an opportunity with China. The drawback, however, is if Brexit finally comes, the United Kingdom will lose their access by being the gateway for China to European trade.
Will there still be hope that the European Union will keep an open market?