A top Tory minister has admitted that Brexit has caused "greater friction" and "difficulties" for trade.
Steve Barclay, the health secretary, was forced to deny reports that the UK Government is considering adopting a Swiss-style relationship with the EU.
It comes after Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, last week signalled that Downing Steet wanted to remove the majority of trade barriers with the continent.
The UK economy is struggling and the Bank of England has estimated the country now faces the longest recession on record.
Asked on Sky News whether Brexit had had an adverse impact on UK trade, he Barclay said: "What I’m saying is you’ve got to look at the issues in terms of Brexit in the round.
"There are areas where there have been difficulties in terms of greater friction and we’re looking to work constructively with EU partners on that.
"But, equally, there are very significant opportunities as a result of Brexit.
"I don’t think we would have done the vaccine rollout in the way that we did had we remained a member of the EU and the significant regulatory opportunities we have, and the autumn statement signalled our determination to take those."
Barclay was speaking after UK Government sources told the Sunday Times that the EU's approach to relations with the UK was thawing.
"I think we will be doing everything within our power to make changes to improve things when it comes to the EU," one source told the newspaper.
"The bigger picture on this is the EU seeing something they weren't expecting, which is massive support for European security from the UK with respect to Ukraine, and they can see we are serious about being sensible grown-ups, with the biggest military in Europe, doing our bit.
"I think there is a very good way through this with more trust than we were ever going to have with either Boris Johnson or Liz Truss."
Switzerland and the EU have a close economic relationship giving the country direct access to parts of the EU’s internal market including the free movement of people.
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