Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unfair Trading Practices

Thursday 10 June 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kieran Mullan questioned the adequacy of global trading rules regarding China's state-owned enterprises.
  • The Minister responded that Britain will not allow its businesses to be damaged by those who do not follow the rules.
  • Bill Esterson criticized the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation to withdraw steel safeguards, fearing disastrous consequences for the industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Business & Trade
Context

The MP questioned the adequacy of existing international rules to address the challenges posed by state-owned enterprises, particularly in China. He highlighted the concern over British businesses being undercut due to these practices.

Question

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. With nine out of 10 of the largest Chinese firms being state-owned enterprises, it is clear that the international rulebook is not keeping up with the latest players' tactics. I do not want to see—I do not think anyone here wants to see—British businesses undercut. Will the Minister elaborate on what more we can do, working with like-minded allies in the WTO and the G7, to tackle these unfair practices?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

My hon. Friend is right that global trading rules have not adapted to take account of China's growth or its different economic model, so Britain cannot, and will not, allow her businesses to be damaged or undercut by those who do not play by the rules, such as through the non-transparent granting of different forms of industrial subsidies. We will work with like-minded partners at the G7, the G20, the WTO and elsewhere to address the harmful impacts of these unfair practices.

Partly answered

How: Work With Like-Minded Partners

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Q2 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Business & Trade
Context

The MP expressed concern over the lack of adaptation in global trading rules to address China's growth and its different economic model, leading to unfair competition against British businesses.

Question

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. With nine out of 10 of the largest Chinese firms being state-owned enterprises, it is clear that the international rulebook is not keeping up with the latest players' tactics. I do not want to see—I do not think anyone here wants to see—British businesses undercut. Will the Minister elaborate on what more we can do, working with like-minded allies in the WTO and the G7, to tackle these unfair practices?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

My hon. Friend is right that global trading rules have not adapted to take account of China's growth or its different economic model, so Britain cannot, and will not, allow her businesses to be damaged or undercut by those who do not play by the rules, such as through the non-transparent granting of different forms of industrial subsidies. We will work with like-minded partners at the G7, the G20, the WTO and elsewhere to address the harmful impacts of these unfair practices.

Partly answered

How: Work With Like-Minded Partners

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlighted a recommendation by the Trade Remedies Authority to withdraw half of all the safeguards on steel, which could lead to a flood of steel imports and potentially disastrous consequences for the steel industry. He offered to work with the government to find a way to retain these vital safeguards.

Question

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. The Trade Remedies Authority has made a deeply flawed recommendation to withdraw half of all the safeguards on steel. If the recommendation is implemented, it is likely to lead to a flood of steel imports, with potentially disastrous consequences for the steel industry, communities and livelihoods. The Government's own regulations do not allow them to retain the safeguards unless the Trade Remedies Authority advises them to do so. The Secretary of State has already said that the regulations need to be reviewed, so will Ministers accept our offer to work together to find a way to retain these vital safeguards and, in so doing, live up to the commitment made by the Trade Secretary to do whatever it takes to protect our steel industry?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I am delighted to hear what the shadow Minister says, but what he is asking for, which is the imposition of measures against the independent recommendation of the TRA, is not within the Secretary of State's powers today. In fact, his party argued that the Secretary of State should have fewer powers when the legislation was going through the House under the last Government. It wanted to curtail her powers further, and it was robust on that. We will not hesitate to defend British industry; that is our policy. The world has changed since 2018, when these powers were put in place, and the Trade Secretary is exploring what else might be needed in Britain's toolkit to defend British industry.

How: Arguing About Past Government'S Policy

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