UK trade deals should prioritise economic growth over environmental protections - leaked govt document

Sam Lowe, trade expert from the Centre for European Reform, added: "While there have been increased calls for the UK to make its foreign trade agreements (FTAs) conditional on partner countries meeting stringent environmental and climate targets, this confirms that such an approach has been deemed too tricky by DIT.

"It also clarifies that the UK is willing to liberalise trade in environmentally questionable goods if necessary to get an FTA over the line.

"I'm not sure any of this is surprising, but it does provide insight into where environment sits as a government priority vis-a-vis its FTA agenda."