Britain to be 'global leader in trade' post-Brexit, says Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May told world leaders on Thursday that a post-Brexit Britain will be a leader in trade and that the country would “step up to a new leadership role” after it leaves the European Union.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, May said the Brexit vote was a signal for change as she put forth her manifesto.

She said that the UK would “step up to a new leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for free markets and free trade anywhere in the world", as she reiterated that Brexit was not a rejection of Europe.

“I want the UK to emerge from this period of change as a truly global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe too, a country that gets out into the world to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike.”

May also spoke of the responsibilities of globalisation has that it has only worked “for the privileged few”, as she addressed the rise of populism in Europe. She said she wanted to create a “shared society” in Britain.

“But just as we need to act to address the deeply felt sense of economic inequality that has emerged in recent years, so we also need to recognise the way in which a more global and individualistic world can sometimes loosen the ties that bind our society together, leaving some people feeling locked out and left behind.”

She added: “I am determined to stand up for free markets free trade and globalisation, but also show how these forces can work for everyone.”

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox revealed that Britain has been discussing trade deals with about 12 countries, including China, India, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Oman, according to the Telegraph.

May was the second world leader at Davos to support globalisation.

On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping, the first-time Chinese leader, has attended the forum, defending free trade and globalisation in an apparent response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s protectionist polices.

It had been a busy week for the Prime Minister, who on Tuesday made a major speech on Brexit and said Britain would be out of the European single market and customs union and that both houses of parliament would get a vote on the final deal reached with the EU.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who was also in Davos, said on Wednesday that May’s plan outlined in her earlier speech could “rip Britain apart” and that a ‘hard’ Brexit - no longer being a member of the European single market - would be “a lose-lose situation”.