Brexit, Ireland and the World Trade Organization: possible policy options for a future UK–Australia agri-food trade agreement

Swinbank, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2526-2026 (2018) Brexit, Ireland and the World Trade Organization: possible policy options for a future UK–Australia agri-food trade agreement. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 72 (4). pp. 371-383. ISSN 1035-7718 doi: 10.1080/10357718.2018.1451985

Abstract/Summary

Prior to the UK’s accession to the then European Economic Community in 1973, Australia was a significant supplier of Britain’s food. Membership of the European Union (EU) resulted in trade diversion, closing the British market to Australian sugar, for example. This article questions whether the UK’s exit from the EU (‘Brexit’) might usher in a new agri-food trade regime, restoring Australian farmers’ access to the British market, or whether other opposing political economy considerations might prevail. Would the UK unilaterally adopt free trade? Can a comprehensive free trade area agreement between Australia and the UK, including agri-food products, be negotiated? Any new relationship will need to reflect the UK government’s stated preference for a frictionless border with EU 27 (particularly on the island of Ireland), the World Trade Organization’s rule book, and the interests of the UK’s farm lobbies, as well as the UK’s quest for ‘free trade’ with the wider international community.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/76568
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/10357718.2018.1451985
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Publisher	Informa UK Limited
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