Israel: Arms Exports
Debate between Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and Lord Purvis of Tweed(3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for raising those issues. We strongly oppose Israel’s resumption of hostilities and urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no one’s interest. The reported civilian casualties resulting from the recent strikes are appalling and we urge all parties to return urgently to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full and work towards a permanent peace. For the sake of the remaining hostages and their loved ones, for the people of Gaza and for the future of two peoples who have suffered so much for so long, we will continue to strive for a return to the path of peace.
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)
My Lords, these Benches agreed with the assessment carried out last summer. But, given that there have been considerable and grave breaches since then, why have the Government not reviewed their assessment, to take into consideration the more recent developments and the concerns over breaches? Given that the assessment concerned the risk of grave breaches in Gaza, we have also seen—with almost impunity—the deteriorating situation in the West Bank. Surely the Government should be using the precautionary principle and we should not be trading with the Occupied Territories and should be restricting further activities, because these export licence restrictions represent less than 10% of all licences. Surely the Government must now use the precautionary principle and widen restrictions even further, especially with regard to the West Bank?
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
My Lords, we keep all these decisions under review. The noble Lord is right to say that not all the licences have been suspended. Some of the items are not being used actively in combat; they are being used for humanitarian aid and other issues, to help, for example, the NGOs in those territories, so we did not feel that a full suspension was necessary.
US Tariffs on EU Goods
Debate between Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and Lord Purvis of Tweed(4 weeks ago)
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Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
My Lords, as noble Lords will know, we are working to find a new relationship with the US and to build on the strong economic relationship we have, which is fair, balanced and reciprocal. Of course, that will have to take into account the interests of Northern Ireland as well.
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)
My Lords, given that all parts of the UK economy are so integrated with that of the European single market already, and that the tariffs from the Trump Administration are economic coercion and not based on any trade policy, I have two questions for the Minister. First, have we triggered the enhanced co-ordination mechanism within the Windsor Framework process, to ensure that any retaliatory action is co-ordinated across the European Union and the United Kingdom? Secondly, considering that this is economic coercion and illegal under WTO rules, what instructions have our Ministers given to our representative at the WTO to complain against the Trump Administration’s practice?
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
My Lords, it is of course disappointing that the US has imposed global trade tariffs. We are determined to support UK businesses across the sector. The Government are working with the affected businesses but, as noble Lords will know, standing up for industry means finding solutions to the global challenges we face. That means working closely and pragmatically with the US to press the case for UK business interests.
Tariffs: Canada and Mexico
Debate between Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and Lord Purvis of Tweed(1 month, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
My noble friend makes an important point. Advanced technology is one of the key industries in our industrial strategy, and certainly one of the important areas for our future prosperity. We are committed to continuing our work with both the US and the EU to remove barriers to trade and to help UK businesses grow. Our number one priority is the growth of the UK economy, and free and open trade with our most economically important partners will be key to its delivery.
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)
But, my Lords, our trade is so integrated with that of the European Union, and our trade policy is based on WTO rules. The Trump Administration imposing tariffs based not on trade policy but on other policy areas means that we will have to be a party to any WTO disputes if we are to protect our interests. One consequence of Brexit is that we have not followed suit with having an anti-coercion instrument, which would allow us to respond quickly if tariffs are put in place on non-trade policy areas. Does the Minister not agree that, for the resilience of the British economy and our trade, it would be better to co-ordinate with our European trading allies to have a common anti-coercion trade policy?
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)
My Lords, as I said, we are committed to working with both the US and EU to remove barriers to trade and to help UK businesses grow. It is obviously very early days, and we will continue to take a cool-headed approach to any possible tariffs. We remain prepared to defend the UK’s national interest where it is right to do so.