As any fule no

Anyone can sign a trade agreement. And call it a free trade agreement.

And that sounds fine.

But, not all trade deals are equal, for one side to wi, the other has to lose.

I wrote years ago, that I could agree and sign a trade deal in a morning. Wouldn't be a good deal, of course.

A properly negotiated, detailed trade agreement takes many years to complete and ratify. The UK had to negotiate over 70 since leaving the EU, and all bar one are on the same terms as the UK enjoyed as an EU member state.

So far, so the same.

But these deals will have to be peoperly negtated withing the next three years.

That's a lot of negotiating. Just as well we have our best person on the case: Liz Truss.

Oh yeah....

The only continuation deal the UK got on different terms was with Japan, which was on better terms. For Japan.

So, some good news is needed: a trade deal with Australia.

The PM wants something to announce at the G7 meeting when the circus rolls into London next month, and anyone, any industry is fair game to be sacrificed for a couple of days of good headlines is worth the damage done, which in this case will be farming.

This is political dogma being put over practical benefits.

Remember, any food can sign a pice of papper, a trade deal, it takes skill and experience to get a benficial one. Be vary wary of a Government *needing* a deal, and will to sign up for just about everything, then worry about the details later.