Brexit: Trade Agreements

Debate between Baroness Fairhead and Lord Tomlinson

Wednesday 17th January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Fairhead]

I am focused on the continuity of the ones that we have and on building working relationships with the countries that we can have trading relationships with in the future. The EU now has a number of trading relationships through both traditional free trade agreements and EPAs, where the focus is much more on development. We in the UK have long been supporters of a very strong and open pro-trade agenda.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

My Lords, if the Minister has set her face so clearly on continuity of purpose in this regard, why are the Government so content to rip up so many of the agreements that serve us well at present?

[Baroness Fairhead]

The referendum decision was to leave the EU, and as we leave the EU, we will no longer be party to those agreements. We have to get that continuity so that we have security for our businesses.