UK to push for no tariffs in EU deal

Guarantee sought ahead of trade talks, but Brussels warns of 'cliff edge' risks

Britain's government says it wants a strong free-trade agreement that will guarantee it zero tariffs and quotas with the European Union in upcoming trade talks, which will start next month.

The United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on Friday, the first nation in the bloc to do so. It then enters an 11-month transition period in which Britain will continue to follow the bloc's rules while the two sides work out new deals on trade, security and other areas.

After Brexit happens late on Friday, the UK will be free to negotiate and sign trade deals with countries with no existing EU deals－such as the United States.