Japan and the U.K. agreed Thursday to make a new economic partnership that is as ambitious as the Japan-EU free trade treaty, as the U.K. is scheduled to leave the European Union soon after the pact takes effect on Feb. 1.
After talks with her Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, who was visiting London, British Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the envisioned bilateral arrangement, which would build on the Japan-EU deal, saying, "This gives businesses the stability and confidence to plan for the future, supports jobs and gives more choice and lower prices to consumers."
During the talks, Abe told May that the world did not want to see a disorderly Brexit and that he fully supported May's withdrawal deal from the European Union, which is now facing defeat in Parliament.