Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

US State-level Market Barriers

Thursday 9 February 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister had discussions on reducing market barriers in priority areas like procurement, renewable energy, automotive, and life sciences with US states.
  • Progress made on removing barriers to digital trade with individual US states was highlighted, including dialogues in Baltimore and Aberdeen.
  • MOUs aim to bolster strong trading relationships with US states worth 3.3 billion of UK goods annually.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Climate Business & Trade
Context

Discussions on trade barriers at the state level in the United States are ongoing. The UK seeks to improve bilateral trade relationships.

Question

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.

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Answered
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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Business & Trade
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific progress or timeline on removing barriers.

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Q3 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Economy Business & Trade
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific economic benefits in pounds and pence.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Companies in Strangford have difficulty selling products such as foodstuffs from farms in Northern Ireland to the United States.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for Northern Ireland companies.

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