UK halts trade negotiations with Canada over hormones in beef ban
BBC NewsJAN 2024
Canada Agrees to Ratify UK's Pacific Trade Pact Membership
Above: Keir Starmer (R) and Mark Carney at the Royal Oak pub ahead of the G7 leaders' summit on June 14, 2025, in Ottawa. Image copyright: Stefan Rousseau/Pool/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This partnership is a crucial step toward economic security in an era of global trade uncertainty. The CPTPP ratification will unlock massive benefits for British businesses while the joint working group tackles real barriers that have held back bilateral trade. Canada's commitment shows the strength of Commonwealth ties in the face of external pressures.
Narrative B
The deal primarily serves U.K. interests while offering limited benefits to Canadian exporters who already dominate trade in gold and energy products. Previous negotiations failed because Britain refused to compromise on food standards that lacked scientific justification. The working group may struggle to overcome fundamental disagreements that derailed talks before.
Narrative C
Britain’s CPTPP membership is largely symbolic — a diplomatic nod to allies like Japan and Australia rather than a real economic win. With existing trade deals in place, the economic gains are negligible. This is geopolitics dressed as trade, offering more headlines than hard benefits.