With the Prime Minister still riding the crest of a wave after his historic election victory, the focus is now turning to next year’s negotiations.
Formal talks can begin with Japan, the US and other countries on February 1, once Britain has formally exited the EU.
Mr Johnson yesterday spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about plans to nego-tiate an “ambitious trade agreement”.
He then jetted off to Estonia to serve Christmas dinner to British troops, who have been placed to defend against Russian expansion.
The Japan talks came as negotiators in Brussels begin to panic over Mr Johnson’s decision to refuse to align Britain with European Union rules.
Alignment would have tied the UK more closely to the EU and made it harder to negotiate with the rest of the world.
But Mr Johnson and fellow Brexiteers have been clear that Britain’s future prosperity is to be found in the faster growing markets outside Europe.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Mr Johnson and Mr Abe agreed to continue to strengthen the alliance between our countries, including on security and defence, and by working together to pursue an ambitious trade agreement that builds on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.” The manoeuvres mean Britain and the EU are on a collision course.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday insisted that the European Union’s central interest in forging a free trade agreement with Britain is to agree common social and environmental standards and avoid a “race to the bottom”.
And Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned a “good trade deal” for Ireland was looking increasingly unlikely after the stance taken by Number 10 since the Tories’ thumping General Election win.
However, Mr Johnson’s visit to troops in Estonia was a reminder to the EU that it still relies on Britain for defence and security.
The Prime Minister dished out turkey and Yorkshire puddings to servicemen at the Tapa military base near the capital Tallinn on a one-day trip to the Baltic state.
Mr Johnson said the troops were the “most vivid and powerful possible symbol and expression” that Britain is committed to the security and stability of the whole of Europe.
The PM served lunches for dozens of soldiers in the canteen, donning a red apron as he asked them about how they were enjoying their time in Estonia. He then toured the canteen greeting soldiers as they tucked into their Christmas lunches, posing for selfies with those who asked him.
The PM had a bite of chocolate cake as he sat down on one table where he chatted to troops about rugby, Russia and their two-can alcohol restrictions while on base.
He told them: “Last time I was here they let me drive a tank.
“That didn’t seem to be on the agenda today.” Mr Johnson thanked the soldiers for their work and wished them a merry Christmas.
And, in a speech before he departed, the PM told troops: “What you’re doing is incredibly important because the reason everybody in our country can have Christmas in peace and security is because of what you’re doing here.
“What you’re doing is showing that Nato works.
“Nato is an alliance to which we in this country are absolutely committed.”
The Prime Minister also held bilateral talks with his Estonian counterpart, Juri Ratas, during which they discussed security and defence, a Downing Street official confirmed.
