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The Government has secured a post-Brexit free trade agreement with Japan which is the UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss praised the “excellent” agreement and claimed it would benefit many British industries, including the tech and creative sectors. However, the BBC have been accused of “talking down” the UK in the wake of the success.

Speaking about the deal, Ms Truss said: “This is an excellent deal for the United Kingdom. It goes significantly beyond what the EU have agreed. It’s our first as an independent trading nation.

“What I’d describe it as is a ‘British-shaped deal’. It has particular benefits for the tech industry, for the creative industries and for food and drink.

“What we’ve also agreed is a pathway to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That will also give the UK access to a much wider market across the Pacific.”

The clip was immediately followed by BBC Global Trade Correspondent, Dharshini David, offering further insight into the Secretary of State’s words.

She told viewers: “But how big are those benefits ultimately? We’re talking about 0.07 percent of GDP in 15 years.

“This is a tiny fraction of what we stand to lose if we forgo our current relationship with the EU.

“The majority of benefits to trade will go to Japan, which is a key reason why they’ve been keen to sign this deal.

“So a big moment but perhaps more symbolic than economic.”

Defund the BBC, a campaign to decriminalise and make the TV licence cover BBC content only, hit out at the national broadcaster.

They wrote on Twitter: “The BBC just can’t help themselves. Instead of focusing on the positives they consistently talk down the United Kingdom.

“Don’t give this blinkered organisation your hard earned money. Switch to on demand and defund the BBC.”

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Ms Truss claims that the new deal will bring £15billion of extra trade with the UK and Japan in the future.

That is set against a no deal Brexit outcome, not how things are at the moment.

The International Trade Secretary also pointed to the digital sector and free flow of data as areas where successes have been achieved “significantly beyond” what the EU has agreed.

She told Sky News that additional protections had been secured for British products such as English sparkling wine.

The minister also said a number of positive benefits had been achieved in terms of tariffs.

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