LONDON": Britain on Tuesday unveiled a major free trade agreement with Australia as London pursues efforts to strike new deals since leaving the European Union. It follows similar UK trade deals with Japan, and the European Union following London's divorce with Brussels.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the latest agreement "marks a new dawn in the UK's relationship with Australia, underpinned by... shared history and common values".
He added in a statement: "This is global Britain at its best - looking outwards and striking deals that deepen our alliances and help ensure every part of the country builds back better from the pandemic."
Speaking later at a Downing Street press conference alongside Australian premier Scott Morrison, Johnson insisted that more trade agreements would follow.
"This is... a prelude to further deals," Johnson told reporters.
Morrison praised the "foundational partnership" that would strengthen economic links and boost cooperation between the two nations.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted that the deal was "an important stepping stone" in efforts to join a massive free trade zone in the Indo-Pacific region - the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The deal eliminates tariffs on UK exports, with a final agreement in principle to be published in the coming days, according to the government.
The UK-Australia trade relationship was worth £13.9 billion (US$19.4 billion) last year and will grow under the deal, it added in a statement.
The two countries also plan to "intensify cooperation on security, climate change and science and tech", the UK government said.
The deal eliminates tariffs on imported Australian goods such as wine, swimwear and confectionery goods, it said.
Going the other way, British products including cars, Scotch whisky, biscuits and ceramics will be cheaper to sell into Australia.
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