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Fact Check: The UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 over beef and cheese tariffs under former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Fact Check: The UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 over beef and cheese tariffs under former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Published June 15, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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# Fact Check: "The UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 over beef and cheese tariffs under former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and f...

Fact Check: "The UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 over beef and cheese tariffs under former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau."

What We Know

In January 2024, trade negotiations between the UK and Canada were officially halted due to disagreements primarily surrounding tariffs on beef and cheese. The UK government announced that discussions had broken down after nearly two years of negotiations aimed at establishing a new trade agreement following the UK's exit from the European Union. The breakdown was attributed to Canada's demands for the UK to relax its ban on hormone-treated beef, which Canadian producers argued was essential for access to the British market. Concurrently, UK cheese exporters faced a significant tariff increase of 245% on their products entering Canada, which had a detrimental impact on trade relations (BBC, AP News).

Analysis

The claim that the UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 over beef and cheese tariffs is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported that the UK halted discussions due to a lack of progress on these specific food products, indicating a clear link between the breakdown of talks and the tariff disputes (BBC). Similarly, the Associated Press confirmed that the British government called off the negotiations specifically over disagreements related to beef and cheese tariffs (AP News).

The reliability of these sources is high; the BBC and AP are well-respected news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Reuters report also corroborated the breakdown of talks and highlighted the differing interests of the UK and Canadian agricultural sectors, further validating the claim (Reuters).

However, it is important to note that while the breakdown was primarily attributed to these tariff disputes, the broader context of post-Brexit trade negotiations and the political pressures faced by both governments also played a role. The UK government, under Rishi Sunak, faced pressure from domestic farmers to maintain strict import standards, while Canadian producers were advocating for better access to the UK market (Telegraph, CBC News).

Conclusion

The claim that the UK-Canada trade talks broke down in January 2024 due to disputes over beef and cheese tariffs is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that these specific tariff issues were the primary reasons for the cessation of negotiations, reflecting the complex dynamics of international trade relations post-Brexit.

Sources

  1. UK-Canada trade rift: What it means for cheese, beef and cars - BBC
  2. Britain's post-Brexit trade talks with Canada break down as they ... - AP News
  3. UK-Canada trade: Talks stall as Britain toughens approach - Reuters
  4. How Britain's trade deal with Canada crumbled in a row over cheese - Telegraph
  5. U.K. walks away from trade talks with Canada - CBC News

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