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Deals with Japan or Turkey won't be ready before Brexit day government admits - despite earlier assurances.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has admitted it won’t be able to roll over the EU-Japan trade deal, or the trade arrangements the EU has in place with Turkey, in time for Brexit .

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has previously said: "We're going to replicate the 40 EU free trade agreements that exist before we leave the European Union so we've got no disruption of trade…believe me we'll have up to 40 ready for one second after midnight in March 2019."

But today a document released by the department reveals that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal those two key agreements will not be ready in time.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: “One of the great myths of Brexit was that we could instantly sign new trade deals whilst seamlessly rolling over the existing deals we already have with over 70 countries as a member of the EU.



“This is damaging myth which has proven to be false. Should no-deal materialise, this will cause serious problems for our economy.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)





“Theresa May must take no-deal off the table and give the public the final say with a People’s Vote and the option to stay in the EU.”

Stephen Doughty MP, a leading supporter of People’s Vote, said: “Brexiters promised that voting leave would mean a bonanza of new international trade deals that would make up for lost trade with the EU.

"Instead, Brexit is costing us the global trade deals we already have as EU members.

"Liam Fox is now finally admitting that his promise to roll over all existing EU trade deals in time for Brexit is going to be broken.

“The Brexit that was promised is a million miles from the one that’s being delivered. It’s already making us all poorer, costing jobs and investment and damaging our reputation as a global trading nation.

“With the Brexit on offer looking so different to the one that was promised, the people must be given the final say."

Best for Britain supporter Virendra Sharma said: “This will surprise absolutely nobody. All it does is confirm the government’s gross incompetence.



“What the trade secretary said would be the easiest job in history has turned into an absolute farce. The problem is, this is a farce that will cost jobs and livelihoods all around the country.



“Fewer trade deals means we become poorer as a nation. The government needs to recognise this and offer the public the option to prevent the oncoming Brexit cliff-edge.”