SINCE Britain joined the the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership deal and the trade agreements Liz Truss signed with Australia and New Zealand — which provide little in the way of benefit to Britain compared to the effects of leaving the EU single market and the customs union — Rishi Sunak and the right-wing media have been looking to provide cover in an effort to shore up dwindling support for Brexit. 

According to the Politico website, Sunak is looking to open up talks with the  China on a potential trade deal — five years after tentative talks were put on ice.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s recent visit to Beijing is thought to have triggered the impetus for opening up discussions and Britain has also appointed a new trade commissioner for China and Hong Kong. 

Politico reports that the British government is “looking at options for strengthening economic ties with China, including the revival of ‘ministerial trade talks’ which may include re-convening the UK-China joint economic and trade committee (Jetco).” 

Jetco was attended by ministers and senior company bosses. But Sunak can expect considerable opposition from the Tory back benches on resuming talks with China.

Truss accused Sunak of “cosying up” to China in a speech she gave in Taipei in May this year.

She said Sunak should rule out the resumption of Jetco talks and another set of talks with China, the Economic and Financial Dialogue. 

Although the government denies any activity on the trade front with China (“We do not recognise these reports. Any future Jetco meetings would be announced in the usual way”) Sunak is desperate to get talks going even at lower level.  

With no sign of a US deal and the current trade talks with India which Sunak desperately needs are said to have “cooled” again because lack of progress on inter-company work visas and tariffs. 

With a general election due next year, which Labour is expected to win, the question is where Labour will stand on any talks with China, should they resume? 

Keir Starmer has made it clear Britain will not be applying any time soon to rejoin the EU and instead will seek greater co-operation with the EU  including ensuring workers are protected by the highest level of employment rights. 

For Britain’s unions ensuring the Britain’s global trading relationships are underpinned by binding protections for workers’ rights that prevent unfair competition and a race to the bottom is crucial for an incoming Labour government, which must ensure unions have seat at the table.

Rosa Crawford, who is responsible for international trade and Brexit at the TUC, said:  “Trade deals need to drive a race to the top in standards — this means not signing trade deals with countries that abuse fundamental rights which includes China. 

“Independent trade unions are banned in China and long working hours and poverty pay is rife — this is one of the reasons why Chinese steel exports as well as other manufactured goods are so cheap. 

“Trade deals without protections for workers and trade unions will threaten good unionised jobs in industries across the UK. 

“That this why the UK government needs to engage with trade unions in the UK to ensure UK trade policy protects decent jobs and workers’ rights.”

Tony Burke is co-chair of the Campaign For Trade Union Freedom (www.tradeunionfreedom.co.uk).