Brexit blow: exports to Japan slump after ‘landmark’ free trade deal

First such accord after leaving EU was predicted to bring 15bn boost but UK now lags rivals

The first major free trade agreement signed by Britain after Brexit has been branded a failure after new figures showed exports had fallen since it came into force.

Liz Truss signed a historic" deal with Japan as trade secretary in October 2020, describing it as a landmark moment for Britain". It was claimed it would boost trade by billions of pounds and help the UK recover from the pandemic.