For clarity: The UK can already strike 'trade deals'. Just not ones that touch on the EU's Common Commercial Policy, e.g. FTAs. Trade deals come in many shapes and sizes, which is why we are party to 750+ EU agreements.
Free Trade Agreements are the 'glamour' trade deals, bringing in lots of different issues. But if you are a pork producer you are probably less interested in these, and more in those deals that make sure our pork can be sold in other markets.
We MAY be able to start implementing Free Trade Agreements from March 2019, or it may take many years to get to this point. But outside the EU we MUST focus on wider trade policy work currently split with the EU - like mutual recognition agreements.
