A new U.K. government renews hopes for a free-trade deal with Canada
CTV
The major shift in the British political landscape after Thursday's election will likely have little impact on Canada's relationship with its ally across the pond, experts say, though it is reviving hope for a possible free-trade deal.
The major shift in the British political landscape after Thursday's election will likely have little impact on Canada's relationship with its ally across the pond, experts say, though it is reviving hope for a possible free-trade deal.
Achim Hurrelmann, a professor of political science at Carleton University, said the two countries have maintained strong ties.
"Even though the (Canadian) Liberal Party and the Conservative Party in the U.K. are of different party families, they have generally work together well on international and trade issues," he said.
But talks for a free-trade deal, which began after Brexit, collapsed in January
Among the critical issues: the U.K. wanted to send more British cheese across the Atlantic, but an exemption on Canadian dairy quotas expired at the end of 2023.
Martin Buckle, director of the British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said it was "very surprising" when the U.K. government walked away from negotiations because the dairy issue was well-known.
"We're hoping that the new government has another look at that and really tries to pick its way through that negotiation and find a way to settle something with Canada," he said.
