Trade Agreements Non-EU Countries 2020-03-05
2020-03-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Progress on non-EU trade negotiations has been slower than expected, with only 8% of existing total trade covered by roll-over deals as of March 31. The questioner highlights concerns about the US negotiations being conducted in tandem with EU ones and potential divergence in objectives.
What recent progress have we made on non-EU trade agreements? Roll-over deals amount to only 8% of existing total trade, yet all was promised by March 31. Are US negotiations happening alongside EU talks with fully trained teams aware of each other's actions?
Yes, we are pursuing concurrent trade negotiations with the EU and the United States. The same applies to the way the EU is currently negotiating with the United States.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific ask about fully trained teams aware of each other's actions.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner asserts that a no-deal Brexit is equivalent to an Australia-terms Brexit. The Yellowhammer report predicts significant disruptions including two and half day waits at ports for lorries.
Is there such a thing as an Australian free trade deal with the EU? An Australia-terms Brexit means no deal, given the Yellowhammer report's prediction of port delays and trade disruptions. Is that acceptable?
Our ambition is to engage in free trade negotiations with the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The interest in engaging bilaterally around the world now that we control our own independent trade policy is unquenchable.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about accepting a no-deal Brexit; the answer did not address this directly, instead focusing on future ambitions and opportunities.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner inquired about the possibility of a no-deal Brexit as an acceptable outcome given the Yellowhammer report's predictions.
Is there such a thing as an Australian free trade deal with the EU? An Australia-terms Brexit means no deal, according to the Yellowhammer report's prediction of port delays and trade disruptions. Is that acceptable?
Our ambition is to engage in free trade negotiations with the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The interest in engaging bilaterally around the world now that we control our own independent trade policy is unquenchable.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about accepting a no-deal Brexit; the answer did not address this directly, instead focusing on future ambitions and opportunities.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The questioner inquires about the focus of Government on ensuring that trade deals are shared across the entirety of the United Kingdom.
Is the collective mind of Government concentrated on sharing these deals across the entire UK?
Yes, we are determined that the entire United Kingdom—all nations and every region of it—will benefit. I had the pleasure of returning home to Northern Ireland only a couple of weeks ago to talk about those ambitions with the Executive and businesses in Northern Ireland.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy