Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations (a) she and (b) officials in her Department have made to the Government of India on the human rights of Christian and Muslim minorities in that country in the context of forthcoming trade negotiations; and if she will include clauses recognising the centrality of human rights, including those of freedom of religion or belief, in any future trade agreement with India.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
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.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what email correspondance her Department had with representatives of the US administration between 7 and 14 October 2019 on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
As a priority, we are continuing to engage with the US at all levels to protect and promote UK industry. Specifically, we are working closely with the US make the case that tariffs are not in the interest of the UK, EU or US. My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has recently spoken to US Trade Representative Lighthizer. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised this urgent matter with US Secretary of State Pompeo and the Prime Minister urged President Trump directly to reconsider the announced tariffs. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work with the UK, EU and US and support the case for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what telephone discussions her Department had with representatives of the EU between 7 and 14 October 2019 on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are working with the European Commission to continue to support a negotiated settlement to the Airbus dispute. We are continuing to engage and influence EU decision-making on these matters. We are also working with the EU to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs. We have also had extensive engagement with the US administration on the issue of tariffs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what email correspondence her Department had with representatives of the EU between 7 and 14 October on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are working with the European Commission to continue to support a negotiated settlement to the Airbus dispute. We are continuing to engage and influence EU decision-making on these matters. We are also working with the EU to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs. We have also had extensive engagement with the US administration on the issue of tariffs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to support Scotland’s small single malt whisky distillers in the event of the imposition of US tariffs.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are clear that the best outcome to this dispute is to seek a negotiated settlement in partnership with the EU and the US that would prevent these tariffs coming into force. This has been raised by the Prime Minister in a call with President Trump and by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade with US Trade Representative Lighthizer. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work closely with the EU and the US on a settlement and to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what face-to-face meetings she, her Ministers or officials of her Department had with representatives of the EU between 2 and 7 October 2019 on the imposition of US tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are working with the European Commission to continue to support a negotiated settlement to the Airbus dispute. We are continuing to engage and influence EU decision-making on these matters. We are also working with the EU to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs. We have also had extensive engagement with the US administration on the issue of tariffs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring that the Scotch whisky industry is supported by measures in the next Budget in the event that a 25 per cent tariff on malt Scotch whisky entering the USA takes effect on 18 October 2019.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are clear that the best outcome to this dispute is to seek a negotiated settlement in partnership with the EU and the US that would prevent these tariffs coming into force. This has been raised by the Prime Minister in a call with President Trump and by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade with US Trade Representative Lighthizer. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work closely with the EU and the US on a settlement and to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions her Department had by telephone with representatives of the US administration between 7 and 14 October 2019 on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
As a priority, we are continuing to engage with the US at all levels to protect and promote UK industry. Specifically, we are working closely with the US make the case that tariffs are not in the interest of the UK, EU or US. My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has recently spoken to US Trade Representative Lighthizer. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised this urgent matter with US Secretary of State Pompeo and the Prime Minister urged President Trump directly to reconsider the announced tariffs. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work with the UK, EU and US and support the case for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what email correspondence her Department had between 2 and 7 October 2019 with representatives of the US administration on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.
Answered by Conor Burns
As a priority, we are continuing to engage with the US at all levels to protect and promote UK industry. Specifically, we are working closely with the US make the case that tariffs are not in the interest of the UK, EU or US. My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has recently spoken to US Trade Representative Lighthizer. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised this urgent matter with US Secretary of State Pompeo and the Prime Minister urged President Trump directly to reconsider the announced tariffs. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work with the UK, EU and US and support the case for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the Government’s strategy is on ensuring that a 25 per cent tariff on Scotch whisky entering the USA does not take effect on 18 October 2019.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are clear that the best outcome to this dispute is to seek a negotiated settlement in partnership with the EU and the US that would prevent these tariffs coming into force. This has been raised by the Prime Minister in a call with President Trump and by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade with US Trade Representative Lighthizer. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work closely with the EU and the US on a settlement and to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs.