David Davis to set out the UK's ambitions for an implementation period

Tomorrow, Friday, January 26, Brexit Secretary David Davis is expected to give a speech in Middlesbrough on the UK's ambitions for an implementation period after Brexit.

He is expected to say:

"As an independent country, no longer a member of the European Union — the United Kingdom will once again have its own trading policy.

"For the first time in more than 40 years, we will be able to step out and sign new trade deals with old friends, and new allies, around the globe.

"Increasingly, we are trading with the key emerging markets of the world in Asia and the Americas.

"The UK’s fastest growing export markets between 2005 and 2014 included countries like China and Brazil.

"And we will be able to do so much more with them, when we are an independent trading nation, outside of the EU.

"Of course maintaining access to each other's markets on current terms means we will replicate the effects of the EU customs union during the implementation period.

"But participating in a customs union should not preclude us from formally negotiating — or indeed signing — trade agreements.

"Although, of course, they would not enter into force until the implementation period has ended."