Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Deals

Wednesday 27 January 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions cover opportunities for Scotland from trade deals with over 63 countries.
  • New free trade agreements will benefit Scottish exporters, especially in food and drink industries.
  • Government aims to resolve tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting Scottish exporters.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gary Sambrook
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Discussions on the opportunities arising from new trade deals for Scottish exporters.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the opportunities for Scotland arising from the signing of trade deals with other countries?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We regularly discuss opportunities for Scotland arising from the signing of trade deals. This Government have already struck deals worth £217 billion a year with more than 63 countries around the world, including Canada, Japan and Singapore, and with many more to come. This will create new markets for Scotland's exporters.

Answered
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Q2 Gary Sambrook
Business & Trade
Context

Opportunities for Scottish food and drink exporters due to new trade agreements.

Question

Does the Minister agree that this will help to benefit exporters, particularly in the Scottish food and drink industries, who will be able to take advantage of new markets?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I fully agree with my hon. Friend. The new free trade agreements we strike, such as those we are currently negotiating with the US, Australia and New Zealand, on top of the ones we have already done, will grow our GDP, increase our trade with the rest of the world and create new opportunities for our exporters. This is particularly true for the Scottish food and drink sector.

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Q3 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Scotland Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

Scotch whisky industry suffering from tariffs imposed as a result of the US-UK trade dispute, losing £30 million monthly in trade.

Question

Can the Minister guarantee that the Government are fully singing from the same hymn sheet to end tariffs on Scotch whisky?

Answer from Iain Stewart

First, may I associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's remarks on the holocaust? On whisky, I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is a vital industry for Scotland's economy and the tariffs are hurting. Britain unilaterally made a bold and generous offer to the US to try to break its impasse with the EU. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a deal with President Trump before he left office, but I spoke to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade yesterday, and she reassured me that it will be her top priority in engaging with the new Biden Administration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee or concrete action plan on ending tariffs not provided.

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Chaos at UK ports, exporters overwhelmed by paperwork, and non-tariff barriers hindering Scottish businesses.

Question

Will the Minister take this opportunity to apologise to Scottish exporters, who are completely hampered by the very non-tariff barriers to trade that the Prime Minister said would not exist? What are the Government doing to resolve these issues today?

Answer from Iain Stewart

First, on the US point, there was an impasse with the EU, and we decided it was the right move to make a unilateral offer to try to break that impasse. I hope the new Biden Administration will engage positively with us on that. Secondly, I do not think it is fair to paint a picture of chaos and tailbacks at the ports. The traffic is flowing freely at most ports. There have been some short-term issues with paperwork, and any new system has some short-term bumps, but we are engaging directly with the exporters affected. We are providing compensation, where necessary, and what we need is some confidence across all sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific apology not given; only assurance of engaging positively with the new US Administration and addressing short-term issues.

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