Post-Brexit trade relationship talks with UK's Liz Truss agree to step up progress

The UK's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss says she wants to ensure "rapid" trade talks with New Zealand after Brexit.

Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker met with his counterpart on Monday to lay the groundwork for post-Brexit talks.

The bilateral follows their July meeting in London, where Parker was the world's first trade minister to meet her, after her appointment.

Since then, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have met and agreed to fast-track a post-Brexit trade deal.

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Following the meeting, Parker said they reiterated the commitment shared between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to move quickly towards a Free Trade Agreement as soon as the UK was in a position to do so.

"Today we also discussed areas where it is important for us to step up progress to find mutually acceptable solutions that do not disadvantage New Zealand traders as a result of Brexit."

They also discussed areas where they could can deepen cooperation in future, recognising the shared interests in more open, sustainable and inclusive trade, he said.

"We continued earlier discussions on ways that we can cooperate in wider trade forums, including on issues such as digital trade and through the potential UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership."

Before the meeting he had anticipated making quick progress towards a new post-Brexit trade relationship.

The minister, who has been playing his cards close to his chest, has not previously referred to timelines about his talks or whether New Zealand would strike a similar deal as Australia.

He planned to discuss the mechanics of a post-Brexit trade relationship and how to resolve "difficult issues" such as tariff rate quotas, he said.

Truss said an FTA with New Zealand was a huge priority for the UK and was one of the first she expected to strike.

She was almost ready to start negotiations with New Zealand and would talk with Parker about a timetable and key areas for discussion.

Truss is also visiting Australia and Japan this week in preparation for Brexit.

The British Government was strongly committed to securing ambitious and high quality free trade agreements, as well as potentially joining the CPTPP, she said.

"I am visiting some of our most like-minded trade partners this week to send a clear message: the UK is an open, welcoming business destination and we are ready to trade. There is massive political willingness from our trading partners to negotiate ambitious new trade agreements."