Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Agreements

Thursday 1 May 2025 · 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

  • Ellie Chowns inquired about the importance of a close trading relationship with the EU due to its economic significance for the UK.
  • Dame Harriett Baldwin inquired about the progress of trade negotiations with India and the possibility of reopening talks with Canada.
  • Clive Jones asked whether Parliament would get a final vote on any trade deal negotiated with the United States, to which the answer was no, as per the existing Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The context involves the UK's major trading partners, with a focus on the EU and US. The MP references President Trump's unreliability and economic illiteracy.

Question

Given the utter unreliability and, frankly, economic illiteracy of President Trump, and given that the EU is by far our largest trading partner, it is clear that the best interests of the UK are served by our having a deal that allows the closest possible co-ordination with the EU. Does the Minister agree with me that that should cover youth mobility, and improved energy and climate co-operation? Specifically, will he work with his colleagues to ensure that we ease burdens for British business by linking the UK and EU emissions trading schemes, and by aligning on chemicals regulation, to boost British productivity and prosperity?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)

I recognise exactly what the hon. Lady says. When it comes to the importance of the EU as a principal trading partner for this country, the figures speak for themselves. I disagree with her about us having to choose between the US and the EU or any other markets. There are potentially thousands of jobs at stake in the US deal. On the questions relating to the EU, a successful negotiation takes two parties. I want to see greater co-operation but would not talk about specifics. I want the UK to have the best and most frictionless trade possible with the EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister avoided specifying whether he will work towards easing burdens for British business through emissions trading scheme linkage and chemicals regulation alignment, focusing instead on general agreement about the importance of the UK-EU relationship.

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Q2 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Business & Trade
Context

The context involves the priorities for trade negotiations with Canada, India, and the US. The MP references recent comments by the Chancellor about prioritizing EU discussions.

Question

It is good to hear that the trade negotiations with India, which began when we were in government, are progressing well. There must surely now be an opportunity to reopen talks with Canada, so it can buy more wonderful cheese from the UK. With the tariff clock ticking, I am sure the Secretary of State recognises that the US deal is the most urgent; many UK jobs are at risk. However, we heard recently from the Chancellor, when she was in the States, that her bigger priority is discussions with the EU, where we already have zero tariffs and zero quotas. Does the Secretary of State share the Chancellor’s priorities, or does he think the US is more urgent?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)

I thank the hon. Lady for her comments. Both India and Canada have challenging negotiations due to issues around agriculture similar to those with the US. The Chancellor’s comments specifically relate to the simple truth that there is a much greater quantum of UK-EU trade than UK-US trade, but in all negotiations, we must focus on doing what is right and in the national interest. We will welcome support from across the House for our work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not explicitly state whether he prioritizes EU discussions over US talks, instead emphasizing the importance of both markets without specifying a priority.

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Q3 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The context involves the ratification process of trade agreements, specifically regarding a deal with the US. The MP references an earlier statement by the Prime Minister implying that MPs will not get a final vote.

Question

Yesterday, I asked the Prime Minister whether Parliament will get a final vote on any trade deal negotiated with the United States, and the Prime Minister stated that it would go through the known process. That process does not include a vote for MPs on the ratification of any trade deal. Will the Secretary of State therefore make it explicitly clear, with a yes or no, whether MPs will get a final vote on the deal with the United States? The PM’s answer yesterday implied that we would not.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)

The answer, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is no; we are not, in this Government, seeking to change the ratification process for any treaty. The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 sets out that process. MPs get the same rights and privileges in scrutinizing treaties but there will be no final vote on ratifying a trade deal with the US.

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