UK: Support for future trade deals - ING

With PM Theresa May holidaying in Northern Italy, she has sent the leading Brexiteers in the cabinet off to try and drum up support for future trade deals, notes the analysis team at ING.

Key Quotes

“International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, is in discussions with US officials, but the newspaper headlines have all been about concerns over cheap “chlorinated” chicken entering the UK market, rather than the £40bn annual boost to exports he believes is possible once a deal is struck after the UK leaves the EU. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in the middle of a nine day tour to Japan, New Zealand and Australia and has been adding to the list of countries that have been promised slots “at the front of the queue” for a trade deal with the UK. Meanwhile, Brexit Secretary David Davis is in Germany to discuss economic ties. Weakening UK activity data is seemingly focusing the minds of British politicians on the need for deals, but until there is clarity on a transitional arrangement, business is likely to remain nervous.”

“It’s too early for markets to price in a transitional deal – uncertainty is pound negative

• The growing consensus within Theresa May's cabinet over a post-Article 50 transitional arrangement with the EU is certainly good news for sterling.
• But along with the length of such a transition period, the details are key for GBP markets. A continuation of current arrangements over the agreed period – free movement of trade, capital and labour – would have the greatest positive effect on GBP markets.
• Until we get further clarity, we think GBP will continue to trade with a negative bias in the short term.
• Signs of the UK economy slowing down are likely to dampen calls for a 2017 BoE rate hike, with markets pushing out expectations into next year.
• A recovery in dollar sentiment should see GBP/USD move back below 1.30, while a consolidation in the euro is likely to keep EUR/GBP below 0.90 for now.”

“Another sluggish quarter for growth casts doubt over a rate hike this year

• The latest growth data has dashed any hope that momentum would return after a particularly soft start to the year. Admittedly, the performance of the all-important service sector could have been worse: Warm weather and a late Easter helped retailers sell their summer wares.
• But this is likely to prove temporary and, as real wages continue to fall, the household spending squeeze will continue to intensify.
• It’s also worth remembering that yesterday’s GDP estimate is composed of only 45% ‘hard’ data, with the rest generated by ONS statistical models. The relatively strong construction and service sector gains assumed for June means a downwards revision cannot be ruled out.
• But for the Bank of England outlook, what matters most is that growth in the first half of this year is markedly slower than the pace seen last year. With signs of domestic inflationary pressures still limited, we think it is unlikely that the Bank will hike rates this year.”