One in five bottles of wine bought and consumed in Britain are Australian

Australia has called into question the UK’s hopes of joining a Pacific trade bloc, which had been considered by Theresa May to be a major post-Brexit opportunity over the coming years.

Simon Birmingham, the Australian trade minister, said: “The UK is some distance from the Pacific, the last time I checked.” He was speaking on a trip to London, where he yesterday met Liam Fox, Britain’s international trade secretary.

The prime minister and Dr Fox have repeatedly cited the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with members including Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico, as a possible target for the UK after it leaves the European Union.

However, Mr Birmingham appeared to pour cold water on such aspirations, suggesting that neighbouring countries would