EU Free Trade Agreements

Hilary Benn Excerpts
Thursday 24th January 2019

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Hollingbery Portrait George Hollingbery
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As we have already made clear, it is entirely possible to trade on WTO terms. However, it is far more preferable to reach trade agreements with third parties, because then we can trade on a preferential basis that allows us access to markets, the lowering of tariffs and the reduction in non-tariff barriers behind the border, which makes life much easier for our companies.

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab)
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I want to ask the Minister a very simple question, to which I would appreciate a direct answer. How many of the 40 or so agreements on which an arrangement has been reached to roll them over have been signed as of this morning?