UK/US Free Trade Agreement

Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Monday 20th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in securing a free trade agreement with the United States.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Leong) (Lab)]

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Hamilton, on securing this timely Question on this very important date in the US. We on these Benches offer our warm congratulations to President Trump on his inauguration. We have a special relationship with our transatlantic partners and strengthening UK-US trading ties is a priority for this Government. I will not get into any policy discussions, but we look forward to working with President Trump and his Administration.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Can the Minister confirm the reports in the paper today that the Government will be anxious to secure a trade deal with the US as quickly as possible? Can he further confirm that that would not be possible if we were still members of the EU? What will happen with the talks that have been pushed on with the European Union? Is there not a danger that one will conflict with the other and that it will not be possible to have a trade deal with the US and the EU at the same time?