Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Free Trade Agreements

Wednesday 10 March 2021 · 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 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tim Loughton asked about opportunities for Scotland from new free trade agreements, and the Minister confirmed discussions on deals with over 65 countries worth 217 billion a year.
  • The Minister highlighted the suspension of tariffs on key UK goods, including Scotch whisky, which the Government views as beneficial for the Scottish economy.
  • Pete Wishart inquired about the Scottish Parliament's role in trade negotiations, to which the Minister responded that while they consult the Scottish Government, trade deals are a reserved matter for the whole United Kingdom.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Loughton Con
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is asking about the benefits of new trade deals for Scotland.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on opportunities for Scotland arising from new free trade agreements? This Government have signed over 65 trade deals worth £217 billion a year, including with Canada, Japan, and Singapore. What specific opportunities will these create for Scottish exporters?

Answer from Alister Jack

I regularly discuss with my Cabinet colleagues opportunities for Scotland arising from the signing of trade deals. This Government have already struck deals with more than 65 countries around the world worth £217 billion a year, including with Canada, Japan and Singapore, with many more to come. This will create new markets for Scotland's exporters, including for our world-leading food and drink sector.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tim Loughton Con
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is questioning the economic value of recent agreements with the US, particularly regarding Scotch whisky.

Question

I congratulate the Government on suspending tariffs on key UK goods including Scotch. How much will this be worth to the Scottish economy? Would this benefit have happened if we were still in the EU or a customs union?

Answer from Alister Jack

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This is brilliant news for the Scotch whisky industry, in the same week that the Chancellor announced a freeze on alcohol duty. The UK Government have fought incredibly hard on this issue, petitioning the highest levels of the US Administration to remove these tariffs, which were harming our Scottish exports.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The economic value and comparison with EU membership are not quantitatively addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP is questioning whether Scotland will have similar powers to those of Wallonia during EU-Canada talks.

Question

During EU-Canada talks, Wallonia managed to block the agreement until concerns were resolved. Will Scotland, with its powerful Parliament, have similar powers in trade negotiations? If not, what role will the Scottish Government play?

Answer from Alister Jack

It is a pity that the hon. Gentleman could not bring himself to welcome the suspension of the US tariffs, in the same way that the SNP has not welcomed any of our trade deals... We consult the Scottish Government on these trade deals, but they are a reserved matter and they are for the whole United Kingdom.

Not addressed: Details about Scotland's power or role in negotiations were avoided.

How: Criticising Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is praising the government for efforts to remove unjustified tariffs on whisky and cashmere.

Question

He congratulates his right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for International Trade on removing unjustified tariffs on whisky and cashmere. Does he agree that arbitrary retaliatory tariffs must be permanently removed?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. The UK Government will continue to engage with the US to agree a fair settlement to the dispute and permanently remove these punitive tariffs, and that will be a deal that works for the whole United Kingdom.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Douglas Ross Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the suspension becoming a permanent resolution for tariffs.

Question

He welcomes the suspension of tariffs in Moray, home to many malt whisky distilleries. Will he outline steps to ensure this four-month suspension becomes permanent?

Answer from Alister Jack

I know that my hon. Friend has more distilleries in his constituency than any other Member of Parliament—47, I think—and I also know that he has been a great champion for the industry and has pressed very hard for the removal of the 25% tariff. We are very pleased to have negotiated an agreement that suspends the tariffs. We now have a space of four months to find a resolution on what has been a 16-year-long dispute.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps to ensure permanence were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Mark Menzies Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is questioning the trade and investment advantages of continued Scottish union membership.

Question

He was delighted by the deal to remove export tariffs on Scotch whisky. What estimate does he make of trade and investment benefits from Scotland's continued membership of the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

This deal will be welcomed by businesses on both sides of the Atlantic because it will hopefully bring an end to harmful tit-for-tat tariffs. I agree with my hon. Friend, but to add to the point, the rest of the United Kingdom continues to be Scotland's largest market for exports. It accounts for more than 60% of all Scotland's trade.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific economic estimates were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email