Department for International Trade

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.

The London Economics report was from 2008, and as the Tradeshow Access Programme had evolved (and now ceased), some implications no longer apply. We are discussing revised support for trade shows with HM Treasury (HMT), which considers key implications raised in the analysis. We continually review support to ensure maximum impact and that services meet business needs in the current economic context.

2021-22 programme funding was discussed with HMT during the 2020 Spending Review.

HM Government is committed to upholding our climate commitments in free trade agreements. We will seek to maintain the United Kingdom’s high levels of environmental protection and sovereign right to regulate in pursuit of net zero by 2050, and affirm our commitments to multilateral environment agreements, including the Paris Agreement. As an example, such provisions were recently agreed with Australia and set out at Agreement in Principle.

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a group of economies which promotes free and fair trade and requires members to meet high standards, particularly against unfair trading practices.

As a non-member, the UK is not commenting on the specifics of other economies’ interest in the agreement. It’s for the members to consider China’s application.

Once the UK has joined CPTPP it will have the same rights as other parties in respect of future applicants. There has to be a consensus of all the parties to admit any new economy.

In line with the requirements of the OECD Common Approaches, the fact that UK Export Finance was considering support for the project was published on its website in August 2019. Following that consideration, my predecessor collectively consulted with ministerial colleagues before UK Export Finance support was made available.

More broadly, I would observe that in December 2020, the Prime Minister announced at the Climate Ambition Summit that the UK will end new direct support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas. The Prime Minister announced that the UK Government will no longer provide any new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas, other than in exceptional circumstances, and align its support to enable clean energy exports. This policy shift applies to any new official development assistance, investment, export credit and trade promotion activity overseas. Following consultation, this new policy came into effect from 31 March 2021.

The United Kingdom has a trade deal with Mexico, which is supporting jobs in communities across our country.

HM Government has announced plans to negotiate a new trade deal, so asked the British people, British businesses and other organisations for their views, including on issues such as labour. We are analysing the responses in advance of setting a mandate.

HM Government has made clear that trade does not have to come at the expense of our values, and this is reflected in British trade policy.

In May, the United Kingdom and India announced our intent to negotiate a free trade agreement. Since then, the Department of International Trade has launched a public consultation about our approach to negotiations.

HM Government has a history of promoting British values globally, including freedom of religion, and we are clear that upholding rights and responsibilities go hand-in-hand with our trading ambitions. We engage with the Government of India on a range of matters.

The UK’s independent investment policy makes it easier for UK firms to invest overseas and reinforces the UK’s position as the top destination in Europe for investment and the third in the world. Accession to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will help to secure the UK’s already strong position in investment.

The UK has negotiated investment agreements with investment protections and Investor-State Dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions with over 90 existing treaty partners, including CPTPP partners, and recognises the important role that these provisions can play in protecting UK investors abroad.

CPTPP is a high standards agreement. It is in the UK’s interests to meet these standards, not to re-write the agreement, and for future applicants to meet these standards too.

The United Kingdom is committed to implementing the ‘Trade and Sustainable Development’ chapters in her trade agreements and, in support of this, HM Government is considering options for setting up the ‘Domestic Advisory Group(s)’.

We will continue to show global leadership in encouraging all states to uphold international rights and responsibilities and will hold those who violate them to account. HM Government takes a balanced and proportionate approach with all international partners, delivering the best outcome for the United Kingdom.

The UK is committed to ensuring that the rights of workers are upheld in trade deals. HM government has made clear that trade does not have to come at the expense of labour standards, and this is reflected in our UK trade policy.

In its public mandates, the Government committed to protect the UK’s world-leading labour standards.

UK goods trade (excluding precious metals) with the EU was £368.9bn in 2020, down 15.8% compared to 2019, mainly due to decreases in April 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

UK trade in goods with the EU suffered a further decrease in January 2021, down 36.0% for the month (compared to December 2020).

Since January 2021, monthly goods trade has increased, with monthly exports now almost at pre-covid levels (July 2021 was 5.6% below 2019 monthly average), and imports growing but still below pre-covid levels (July 2021 was 14.6% below 2019 monthly average).

UK trade in services with the EU have shown little recovery since falling in April 2020. Services trade with the EU was £160.2bn in the 12 months to end of June 2021 down 22.3% on the previous 12 months.

HM Government signed a new free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) in July. Building on the success of the United Kingdom’s recent Agreement-in-Principle with Australia, we have been accelerating talks to reach an Agreement-in-Principle with New Zealand too.

We are progressing plans to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and recently concluded a public consultation for FTA negotiations with India, as well as a call for input for new FTA negotiations with Canada and Mexico.

Acceding to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will not prevent the UK regulating in the public interest. CPTPP explicitly reaffirms states' right to regulate under international law. It also protects this right through numerous safeguards, including procedural provisions to minimise the impacts of frivolous and unsuccessful Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims faced by states.

Acceding to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will not prevent the UK regulating in the public interest. CPTPP explicitly reaffirms states' right to regulate under international law. It also protects this right through numerous safeguards, including procedural provisions to minimise the impacts of frivolous and unsuccessful Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims faced by states.

Acceding to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will not prevent the UK regulating in the public interest. CPTPP explicitly reaffirms states' right to regulate under international law. It also protects this right through numerous safeguards, including procedural provisions to minimise the impacts of frivolous and unsuccessful Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims faced by states.

Acceding to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will not prevent the UK regulating in the public interest. CPTPP explicitly reaffirms states' right to regulate under international law. It also protects this right through numerous safeguards, including procedural provisions to minimise the impacts of frivolous and unsuccessful Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims faced by states.

The British ceramics industry is world-renowned and can access new markets more easily through our future Free Trade Agreements. For example, in June, we reached Agreement in Principle with Australia. This fundamentally liberalising agreement removes tariffs on all UK exports, including ceramics.

Alongside our trade deals, we provide a range of exporting support to help businesses grow internationally, including trade advisers locally and overseas; financial exporting support from UK Export Finance’s specialists; access to the UK Export Academy and the Digital Exporting Programme. This includes access to one-to-one guidance on digital sales and marketing.

Businesses interested in more information on export opportunities for British ceramics can visit https://www.great.gov.uk/.

A full impact assessment will be published following the conclusion of negotiations, prior to scrutiny by Parliament.

Question 44264 was answered on 22^nd September.

Union Jack flags flown by the Department’s buildings were supplied by:

• Flag Consultancy
• House of Flags

The Department’s ceremonial Union Jack flags were supplied by;

• JW Plant – The Flag Company

There were 14 Union Jack flags purchased in the last two years for use by the Department, all of which were manufactured in the United Kingdom.

In 2020, one such Open Individual Export Licence was granted, for specific use by the Brazilian Navy in the maintenance and repair of their fleet while in port in Colombia.

HM Government continues to keep its policy response to goods produced using forced labour under close review. We are working closely with our international partners, through the G7 trade track to ensure that global supply chains are free from the use of forced labour. G7 Trade Ministers will aim to identify areas for strengthened cooperation and collective action towards the eradication of forced labour in global supply chains in October.

Department for International Trade officials convened a technical discussion with G7 partners on the 7^th of September to share data, evidence and develop recommendations based on best practices to prevent, identify, and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains. Experts from international and domestic organisations and the United Kingdom's Modern Slavery Envoy were invited to identify challenges and opportunities for governments. G7 members shared their respective best practices and identified areas for strengthened cooperation. G7 Trade Ministers will discuss the recommendations when they meet in October.

HM Government has no plans to negotiate a trade deal with China. We do not have dates for the next United Kingdom-China Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which is our long-established trade dialogue with China.

The Department has engaged extensively with the Devolved Administrations throughout the accession process thus far, both at the Chief Negotiator and at Ministerial level, including the sharing of negotiation positions in devolved areas. At every stage, we have taken into consideration their views and priorities. Our programme of engagement totals hundreds of hours at official level and dozens at Ministerial level.

Neither Ministerial colleagues nor officials in London have met with the Chinese administration during this time.

HM Government is clear that more trade will not come at the expense of human rights. The UK will continue to show global leadership in encouraging all states to uphold international human rights obligations and hold those who violate human rights to account. By having stronger economic relationships with partners, we can have more open discussions on a range of issues, including human rights.

The UK is seeking ambitious environmental provisions in all future trade deals, including those which preserve our high levels of environmental protection and ensure our trade and environment policies are mutually supportive.

Negotiations, including with both Australia and New Zealand, are progressing and the UK is also preparing for the next phase of negotiations, including with India, Mexico and Canada.

The Department for International Trade is working closely with the Trade Remedies Authority to make sure the review is concluded as soon as possible, in accordance with the Written Ministerial Statement of 30^th June.

The UK is responsible for the international relations of all UK Overseas Territories, including the Pitcairn Islands, and will seek legal advice if, and where, appropriate as negotiations with trading partners progress.

The United Kingdom-Ukraine Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement is in force and operating effectively. It is standard practice for agreements to be amended, corrected or updated over time, depending upon individual circumstances. However, there are no plans for a wholesale reopening of the agreement.

In 2020, 16 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were granted for military rated items to Afghanistan, with a value of £21,710,485. In addition, one Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) was granted for military rated items. Because OIELs are open-ended, they are not restricted by quantities or values for the specific items the licence is granted for.

For the period 1^st January to 31^st March 2021, four SIELs were granted for military rated items, with a value of £533,350; and one OIEL was granted.

Information on licences granted between 1^st April to 30^th June 2021 will be published as Official Statistics GOV.UK on 12th October 2021; and information on licences granted from 1^st July to 30^th September 2021 in January 2022.

Legal services are crucial to the UK economy, contributing £29.2 billion (1.6%) to the UK’s gross value added (GVA) in 2020. The published assessments for these agreements assess the potential long-term impact on GVA for all business services, however they do not include a breakdown of the potential impact on legal services imports.

To support UK success in this sector, the Department for International Trade is seeking ambitious commitments in its Free Trade Agreements on cross-border trade in services, investment, mobility, and digital trade. This will reduce trade barriers, providing certainty and transparency for UK businesses, including legal services suppliers.

Headcount as of 31^st March for those staff working for the Department for International Trade in each of the 27 EU member states for each of the last three years is set out in the table below:

The above includes both UK Based Staff working overseas and Country Based Staff employed in country.

The Department for International Trade publishes all workforce transparency returns required by the Cabinet Office. This does not currently include how many staff are based in each country as this number can vary depending on joiners, movers and leavers each month.

We will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare, and food standards.

All goods coming into the United Kingdom must meet our relevant domestic rules. Legal protections for food standards and import requirements remain in place, including through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and our other EU Exit legislation. This provides a firm basis for maintaining the same high level of protection for both domestic and imported products.

The responses to the call for evidence will be used to inform any future policy proposals on animal welfare labelling.

We will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare, and food standards.

All goods coming into the United Kingdom must meet our relevant domestic rules. Legal protections for food standards and import requirements remain in place, including through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and our other EU Exit legislation. This provides a firm basis for maintaining the same high level of protection for both domestic and imported products.

The responses to the call for evidence will be used to inform any future policy proposals on animal welfare labelling.

We will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare, and food standards.

All goods coming into the United Kingdom must meet our relevant domestic rules. Legal protections for food standards and import requirements remain in place, including through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and our other EU Exit legislation. This provides a firm basis for maintaining the same high level of protection for both domestic and imported products.

The responses to the call for evidence will be used to inform any future policy proposals on animal welfare labelling.

We will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare, and food standards.

All goods coming into the United Kingdom must meet our relevant domestic rules. Legal protections for food standards and import requirements remain in place, including through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and our other EU Exit legislation. This provides a firm basis for maintaining the same high level of protection for both domestic and imported products.

The responses to the call for evidence will be used to inform any future policy proposals on animal welfare labelling.

HM Government has negotiated an unprecedented animal welfare chapter in the Anglo-Australian Trade Deal that includes a non-regression clause and cooperation commitments. Nothing in the agreement will prevent the United Kingdom from amending or introducing any new labelling requirements for products to be sold here.

This deal will not compromise our animal welfare standards and does not create new permissions for imports from Australia. All agri-food imports imported into the United Kingdom under existing or future free trade agreements will, as now, must comply with our import requirements.