WTO chief warns of complex, lengthy trade deal talks post-Brexit

London

BRITAIN'S trade deal negotiations with both the European Union (EU) and other nations are likely to be lengthy and complex, warned Roberto Azevedo, director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On a visit to London, Mr Azevedo contended that the "Leave" camp was taking a high-risk bet that the UK would be able to negotiate new tariff deals quickly and smoothly. He added that the hope of some Brexit leaders and economists that Britain would be able to scrap all import tariffs was "very unlikely that politically (it) would be feasible".

Mr Azevedo said it was likely that a British exit would lead to a sequence of complex drawn-out…