Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade with Africa

Thursday 29 June 2023 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Laurence Robertson asked about steps to increase trade with African countries, including the developing countries trading scheme.
  • Laurence Robertson inquired specifically about how the developing countries trading scheme would help Ethiopia.
  • Tim Farron questioned the Government about lessons to be learned from mistakes in trade deals with New Zealand and Australia.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laurence Robertson Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks information on steps taken by the government to enhance trade relations with Africa.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase trade with African countries?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

To increase and grow trade with Africa, we are using our nine trade agreements, covering 18 African nations. In April 2024, the Prime Minister will host the second UK-Africa investment summit to showcase investment opportunities and advance two-way trade. Just this month, we launched the developing countries trading scheme, which covers 65 countries, including 37 African countries.

Answered
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Q2 Laurence Robertson Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about the specific impact of a recent trade initiative on Ethiopia, following his visit there.

Question

That is all good news, particularly the developing countries trading scheme. I was recently in Ethiopia for a trade visit. Can the Minister tell me how the developing countries trading scheme, in particular, will help Ethiopia?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I thank my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour for the work he does as the Prime Minister's trade envoy to Ethiopia and many other countries. I was also in Ethiopia recently, and many people were praising my hon. Friend and his work. He is right that the developing countries trading scheme will reduce tariffs, which is a win-win both for developing countries, making it easier and cheaper for them to export to the UK, and for UK consumers because it will reduce prices.

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Q3 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Business & Trade
Context

The MP questions the government about learning lessons from past trade agreements, particularly those with New Zealand and Australia, which have been criticised for their negative impact on British farmers.

Question

As the Government rightly consider new trade deals with other countries, what lessons will they learn from the hideous mistakes made in the New Zealand and Australia trade deals? The right hon. Member for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), a former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, rightly said that they are bad deals for Britain. Given that British farmers are so angry with this Government, having been thrown under the bus on animal welfare and on environmental and cost issues, will he learn lessons from those mistakes and make sure British farmers are protected, and that environmental and animal welfare standards are protected, too?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I am, quite frankly, astounded by the hon. Gentleman's comments. He is well aware, as I have said repeatedly and is widely acknowledged, that the trade deals we have developed, including with Australia and New Zealand, are economically beneficial right across the UK, including in his constituency. If he does not wish to support policies that are in the best economic interests of his constituency, that is something his constituents probably need to recognise come the next election.

Not addressed: Learning from mistakes and protecting farmers' interests

How: Astounded By Comments, Acknowledging Deals Are Beneficial

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