国际英语资讯:Spotlight: UK signs deal with ROK to protect post-Brexit trade_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: UK signs deal with ROK to protect post-Brexit trade

In 2017, there were 6,900 British businesses exporting goods to South Korea, worth around 5.8 billion pounds. Some of the fastest growing British exports include the sale of British cars, which increased to 943 million pounds in 2018, up by a third on the year before. Exports of ceramic products and professional services have also seen rise in recent years.

The trade agreement was welcomed by businesses in industries such as automotive, technology, renewable energy, retail and ceramics.

"As the first luxury car brand to enter the market in 2006 Bentley Motors sees South Korea as very significant to our future business plans. The stability this FTA brings is very much welcomed and will enable us to continue to promote the very best of British automotive engineering and craftsmanship as we grow our business in South Korea," Warren Clarke, Bentley Brand Manager South Korea said.

Yoo Myung-Hee said the signing of the FTA will "remove much Brexit uncertainty" out of the bilateral economic partnership, and that in this challenging time, the agreement sends a signal to the world of their strong, collective support for free, open, rules-based trade.

Despite applause for the deal, businesses doubt whether the government can successfully roll over much of the around 40 EU trade deals by Brexit day. If not, UK trade with these countries will be subject to WTO terms. Progress of trade deals with other major markets for the UK including Canada, Turkey and Japan are closely watched.