Liz Truss: Leaving EU made signing £1bn India trade deal easier

4 May 2021, 08:23

Liz Truss tells LBC trade deals are easier now UK is out of EU

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has told LBC leaving the European Union has made it easier to sign trade deals.

The conversation comes after Boris Johnson announced a £1 billion trade deal with India, in a move set to create more than 6,000 jobs, as the UK looks to foster closer ties with the nation.

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari the Liz Truss said it would not have been possible for the UK to sign this trade deal if the country were still a member of the European Union.

She said that Brexit had made it possible for the UK to be "more flexible and nimble," which would not have been possible while a member of the EU bloc.

The Prime Minister is set to attend a virtual meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Downing Street said the package contains more than £533m of new investment from India into the UK, expected to create more than 6,000 jobs in sectors such as health and technology.

This includes some £240 million investment by the Serum Institute of India, supporting clinical trials, research and possibly the manufacturing of vaccines.

Meanwhile, Downing Street said British businesses have secured export deals with India worth more than £446 million, which is expected to create more than 400 British jobs.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
'Why does the word Conservative not appear on your posters?' Susan Hall grilled

Susan Hall claims she is 'being naughty' by leaving the word 'Conservative' off her Mayoral campaign material

Exclusive
Susan Hall has doubled down on claims she was pickpocketed on the Tube

'Can you be trusted with London?' Susan Hall refuses to apologise as she stands by Tube 'pickpocketing' claims

Nick Ferrari

'I cannot overstate the amount of trauma': Infected blood scandal victim advocates for justice and compensation

The Security Minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari

Security Minister agrees Home Office losing 17,000 asylum seekers is an 'absolute shambles'

Caller Sol speaks to Nick Ferrari from Jerusalem.

Caller describes terrifying moment he heard gunshots as two Palestinian attackers open fire in Jerusalem

Israel and Hamas have started a four-day truce

'We won't live with Hamas': Fragile four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is 'just a pause', insists Netanyahu adviser

Treasury Minister Gareth Davies confirms that there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

'We've always stood by pensioners;' Minister confirms there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

Sunak will quit even if the election loss is not as bad as feared, Kwasi Kwarteng has told LBC

Rishi Sunak will go even if Tories lose election narrowly but Braverman has no hope of taking over, Kwasi Kwarteng says

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

Exclusive
The education minister has said he respects the police's operational independence.

‘I’ve always respected the operational independence of the police’, education minister says amid Braverman ‘bias’ row

The Culture Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Sports Secretary caught offside by Nick Ferrari as she can't name Rugby adviser she's met with twice in last few months

Hamas are booby trapping nurseries, an IDF spokesperson has said as forces close in on Gaza

Hamas leaving booby traps in nurseries as it departs, says IDF spokesperson

The Justice Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the state opening of Parliament

Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Rishi Sunak says police have the ‘absolute and total’ support of ministers

Rishi Sunak says police have ‘absolute and total’ support ahead of pro-Palestinian protest planned for Armistice Day

Exclusive
The former top Met cop says he thinks the march will be allowed to go ahead

Met 'won't bow to political pressure' over pro-Palestine Armistice Day protest, ex top cop says, amid calls to cancel