Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Programme

Monday 29th July 2024 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)]

The UK is the world's fourth largest exporter, with exports worth £855 billion. British businesses have unique strengths which are admired around the world.

This Government are committed to developing a trade strategy that will drive economic growth. Our approach will be underpinned by rigorous economic and geopolitical analysis, and will align with our industrial strategy, support our net zero ambitions and enhance our economic security. The strategy will be critical to forging a new partnership between an active state and dynamic open markets, both in the UK and overseas. It will also reflect our ambition to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU.

In developing our trade strategy, we are clear FTAs—while not the only tool—are an important lever for driving growth.

That’s why today I am announcing our intention to deliver the UK’s Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Programme, starting with the Gulf Co-operation Council, India, Israel, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Turkey. The Government are also committed to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, ensuring UK businesses can take full advantage of the deal when it enters into force. I will be working with my officials to ensure our FTA programme delivers this Government’s wider international trade and investment priorities, and puts our growth mission at its heart. We are committed to using every lever available to deliver growth.

We are now working across Government to get negotiators back into the room with counterparts as soon as possible. In line with this, I have written to international partners signalling our intentions and I expect the first discussions to take place during the autumn.

We will keep Parliament fully updated as the trade strategy and trade negotiations progress.

[HCWS28]