Britain faces free trade headache after Brexit vote

London

BRITAIN'S desire to become a free trade leader following its vote to leave the EU is seen as wishful thinking by analysts, who said that London's hands are tied until a formal exit from the bloc.

Prime Minister Theresa May used this month's G-20 summit in China to explore potential trade deals with Australia, India, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea. But international trade specialists have been quick to highlight Britain's lack of experience in such negotiations.

"Currently, legally speaking, the UK is part of the EU and therefore is not able to conclude free trade agreements," said Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, director of trade policy think-tank, the European Centre for Inter…