LONDON- Britain is confident that it will strike a trade deal with Canada by the end of the year, British trade minister Greg Hands said on Tuesday.

"It is an incredibly important deal," Hands told parliament, saying Canada was an important strategic partner and 16th largest trading partner.

Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the deal was a "really easy one" and was hopeful it would be agreed before January. 

(Reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Alistair Smout) ((michael.holden@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 3213; Reuters Messaging: michael.holden.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))