THE MP for the Vale of Clwyd has said that North East Wales “will benefit so greatly” from the UK-Japan trade deal.

Dr James Davies said there are “huge benefits” for businesses in the area after the UK Government agreed in principle to a free trade deal with the East Asian country on Friday, September 11.

It is the first major post-Brexit trade deal that will see tariff-free trade on 99 per cent of UK exports and reduced tariffs on a range of agricultural exports.

Dr Davies said that a potential increase in the number of geographical indications in Japan such as the Denbigh Plum is also a positive for producers in the region.

“This is the UK’s first major trade deal outside the EU and I am absolutely delighted that it is a deal which will benefit this region so greatly,” he said.

“The deal secures additional benefits beyond the EU-Japan trade deal, including a way for Welsh products to be officially recognised. By increasing geographical indications (GIs) from just seven under the terms of the EU-Japan deal to potentially over 70 under the UK-Japan agreement, this would lead to improved recognition of key UK brands in the Japanese market.

“There are many businesses in North East Wales that can benefit from the new arrangements, including the Vale of Clwyd Denbigh plum, Welsh lamb and Welsh beef, which is fantastic news indeed.”

Dr Davies congratulated the secretary of the state for international trade, Liz Truss at the House of Commons on Monday, September 14 following the trade agreement.

“This deal shows that economic powerhouses, such as Japan, want ambitious deals with the United Kingdom, and it shows that the UK can succeed as an independent trading nation,” added Dr Davies.

“These are exciting times for businesses throughout the UK, and I look forward to seeing producers in the Vale of Clwyd, and indeed across the whole of North Wales, prosper from this deal.”