UK Nearing Free Trade Deal with Gulf Council States, FT Says

The UK and Gulf Cooperation Council states are close to finalizing a long-sought free trade deal after years of negotiations, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The UK has been negotiating with the GCC states — which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — since 2022 for a free trade deal. One of the people told the FT that an agreement-in-principle would be reached within days and that GCC secretary-general Jasem AlBudaiwi is expected to be in London this week.