UK-US Trade Deal

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Damian Collins

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

There are huge opportunities in the midlands for further trade with the US. The midlands is already a very strong exporter to the US. I believe that one in five goods from there goes to the US market, but we can do more to remove tariffs and also to get rid of some of the testing procedures and non-tariff barriers that are stopping our car industry exporters so much.

[Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con)]

I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State state her commitment to protecting UK citizens from online harms. She will know that the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement required the insertion of the section 230 provisions of the United States’ Communications Decency Act, which give immunity from liability to the big social media companies. If an approach like that were incorporated in a UK-US deal, would be impossible for us to bring forward the online harms regime and take action against social media companies for failing to act against harmful content. Will she confirm that the British Government would not accept a move in this country equivalent to section 230 in the US-Mexico-Canada agreement?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I can confirm that we stand by our online harms commitment, and nothing in the US trade deal will affect that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Damian Collins

Thursday 12th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

Currently, 50% of the dairy products consumed in Britain are imported. I want to see more British products produced and sold in this country. That is why I am pushing the European Commission for compulsory country of origin labelling to make sure that British consumers can go into supermarkets and find out which products are from Britain.

[Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con)]

2. What assessment she has made of the potential effect of a discard ban on the inshore fishing fleet.