May says Britain to continue supporting free trade

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Britain will continue to be a global advocate of free trade, Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday in a speech at the World Economic Forum.

May said Britain will push for progress on WTO discussions, seek to bring new partners to the table and develop new bilateral deals with countries across the world after pulling out of the European Union.

The prime minister hoped to send a clear message: Britain will be one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.

The benefits of free trade were not being felt by all doesn't mean people should turn backs on free trade or the global rules-based system, rather, efforts should be made to ensure that the global economy works for everyone, May said.

Much more needs to be done by the whole international community, she said. "Too often our rhetoric in support of free trade here in Davos is not matched by our actions."

She believed the WTO needs to go much further in its reforms, ensuring its rulebook keeps pace with developments in the global economy.

She called for embracing technology and believed the key is channeling the power of government and business in partnership to seize the opportunities of technology and create high-quality and well-paid jobs right across the world.

That's why Britain has put the development of a Modern Industrial Strategy at the heart of the government's agenda, said May. Enditem