Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UKUS Free Trade Agreement

Thursday 5 March 2020 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • A free trade agreement with the US could deliver a 15 billion increase in bilateral trade, increasing manufacturing output and benefiting all parts of the UK economy.
  • Every morning more than 1 million people in Britain get up and go to work for American firms, and more than 1 million in the US do so for British firms.
  • The scoping assessment shows benefits for virtually every sector of the UK economy, including manufacturing and agriculture.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aaron Bell
Business & Trade
Context

The MP questioned the potential economic gains for UK manufacturing industries from a proposed US-UK trade deal.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential economic benefits to manufacturing industries of a free trade agreement with the US?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

A free trade agreement with the US could deliver a £15 billion increase in bilateral trade, increasing manufacturing output and benefiting all parts of the UK economy.

Answered
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Q2 Aaron Bell
Business & Trade
Context

The MP enquired about the advantages of a comprehensive UK-US trade deal for businesses with US subsidiaries or parent companies.

Question

Can she confirm that a comprehensive UK-US trade deal would benefit such firms by cutting red tape and increasing trading ties between our two countries?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Every morning more than 1 million people in Britain get up and go to work for American firms, and more than 1 million in the US do so for British firms. We aim to strengthen this economic relationship through shared ideas, products, and goods.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not confirm specific benefits of reducing red tape or increasing trading ties for UK-US companies

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Business & Trade
Context

The MP cited concerns from the British Ceramic Confederation about potential damage to UK ceramics industry due to a US trade deal.

Question

Does she not accept that the manufacturing industry is right to be concerned about the threat posed by the agreement she is proposing?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The British Ceramic Confederation acknowledges potential benefits but Laura Cohen has highlighted tariffs on ceramic catering-ware. The Trade Remedies Authority will deal with illegal dumping of ceramics.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not address the BCC's specific warnings about mutual recognition clauses and low-quality imports

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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Q4 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Business & Trade
Context

The MP questioned why the government would not listen to industry concerns about potential negative impacts from a proposed US trade deal.

Question

Why will she not listen to the industry? Should the Government not rethink their approach?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The scoping assessment shows benefits for virtually every sector of the UK economy, including manufacturing and agriculture. Steelite International welcomes the potential removal of tariffs on dinnerware.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not address specific concerns about low-quality imports or mutual recognition clauses

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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Q5 Robert Courts Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about the potential benefits of the US trade deal for manufacturing and high-tech firms.

Question

Will the Secretary of State please comment on some of the parts of her proposals that are likely to benefit manufacturing and high-tech companies?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

One point in our negotiation objectives is an advanced digital and data chapter. This will help 79% of UK services provided remotely, benefiting high-tech industries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not provide specific benefits for manufacturing companies

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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Q6 Joanna Cherry SNP
Brexit Business & Trade Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP asked if Parliament would receive a vote on the proposed US trade deal, similar to how Congress in the US will.

Question

Will she allow this Parliament a vote on the deal?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Treaties are laid before Parliament through CRAG. We also engage with business through 17 expert trade advisory groups to ensure standards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not confirm whether there will be a vote on the deal

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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