Britain would retain its "global strength" if it joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal after Brexit, Japan's prime minister has said.
Shinzo Abe told the Financial Times on Sunday (7 October) that the UK would be welcomed into the trade group with "open arms", and would benefit from it.
Mr Abe, who is one of Prime Minister's Theresa May's closest international allies, also warned of a 'no deal' Brexit scenario.
"I hope that both sides can contribute their wisdom and at least avoid a so-called disorderly Brexit," he said.
"I truly hope that the negative impact of Brexit to the global economy, including Japanese businesses, will be minimised."
The comments by the Japanese Prime Minister follow reports emerging earlier this year from the Department for International Trade explaining how the UK could join the Pacific free-trade group after Brexit.
Original negotiations to create the trade group were rocked when the United States pulled out in the wake of Donald Trump's election as President.
But the proposed deal was subsequently revived as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
And agreement has now been reached between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Farm product tariffs
It is claimed that the trade pact could raise the value of the countries' exports by four per cent, or $23 billion, by 2030.
The agreement contains measures to lower both non-tariff and tariff barriers to trade, similar to the current model under the EU.
It cuts over 18,000 tariffs. Tariffs on all UK manufactured goods and almost all UK farm products would be eliminated completely, with most eliminations occurring immediately.
Currently, members of the TPP account for about 8% of British exports.
However, Canadian egg farmers have expressed disappointment with the deal, claiming that the agreement fails to protect their industry. A leading free range egg producer in Australia has also raised concern about the impact of the agreement.
But news of potential trade groups could allow British farmers to "thrive" outside the EU, following decades of being "boxed in" by the EU's agricultural policies.
The deputy president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Mark Bridgeman said Brexit is a "hugely significant" period for British agriculture. He said it will prosper outside the EU.
