US State-level Market Barriers 2023-02-09
2023-02-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussions on trade barriers at the state level in the United States are ongoing. The UK seeks to improve bilateral trade relationships.
What recent discussions has she had with her US counterpart on reducing market barriers at the state level in the US? She outlined priority areas such as procurement, renewable energy, automotive, and life sciences.
We are taking tangible steps to improve our trade relationship with the US. We signed state-level memorandums of understanding with Indiana, North and South Carolina in priority areas such as procurement, renewable energy, automotive, and life sciences. These states imported more than £3.3 billion of UK goods in 2021.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK has signed memorandums of understanding with several US states to improve bilateral trade relationships. Digital trade is a key area for collaboration.
From financial services to online shopping, digital trade is at the heart of doing business with the United States. Will he update the House on the progress made on removing barriers specific to such digital trade with individual states?
We see digital trade as an excellent area for cooperation. We are keen to explore opportunities to facilitate co-operation and promote digital trade with the US at state level. The dialogues in Baltimore and Aberdeen helped identify a range of areas for collaboration, including on digital trade.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific progress or timeline on removing barriers.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
After failing to get a trade deal with the United States, the Government have resorted to signing non-binding agreements with separate US states. The economic benefits of these agreements are unclear.
The Minister's answer on the different sectors was interesting but the Government has refused to confirm what economic benefits these agreements will bring to the UK economy. Will he tell me what value in pounds and pence these agreements will bring?
These MOUs seek to bolster already strong trading relationships with US states worth £3.3 billion of UK goods annually. We are working on implementing these agreements, and we aim to increase trade volumes as we move forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific economic benefits in pounds and pence.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Companies in Strangford have difficulty selling products such as foodstuffs from farms in Northern Ireland to the United States.
Will the Minister give some indication of what can be done in conjunction with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland to open doors to sales for companies that sell foodstuffs from farms across Strangford?
We are fighting for opportunities right across the UK. We secured major trade deals with the US, reinstating beef and lamb imports and ending damaging steel and aluminium tariffs, so we are working in individual sectors to find further opportunities at both state and federal level.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps for Northern Ireland companies.
Response accuracy