Fall in UK trade with EU should spur rewrite of post-Brexit rules, says IPPR

Thinktank's report details decline in trading position and also calls for new strategy as Trump takes power in US

A slump in trade with the EU should spur ministers to negotiate a fundamental rewrite of post-Brexit rules to more closely align the UK with Brussels, a leading left-of-centre thinktank has said.

Donald Trump's arrival in the White House next week should also encourage the government to get on the front foot in trade agreement talks with the US to support the growth of UK exports, said the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).