Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government is proceeding with trade talks with the US Administration during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
On 5 May, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and the US Trade Representative launched negotiations for a UK-US Free Trade Agreement and agreed an ambitious timetable for virtual talks. The joint statement issued confirming the start of negotiations can be found on www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-us-start-trade-negotiations.
Negotiations will be carried out by video conference, ensuring that talks can progress during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More trade is essential if the UK is to overcome the unprecedented economic challenge posed by Covid-19, and new trade agreements are an important part of the long-term economic recovery, providing new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs who have suffered most in this difficult period.
Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of average price reduction on non-EU goods into the UK from setting a new UK tariff schedule on exit from the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK will implement the temporary tariff which will apply to all trade from partners not subject to alternative trade arrangements. This policy seeks to balance the impact on consumers from price rises and on producers from exposure to global competition. Under the temporary tariff, over 90% of imports by value currently entering the UK from outside the EU will be liberalised, rising from over 50%.
In addition to tariffs, prices for imported goods depend on various factors, including exchange rate fluctuations, shipping costs and on various non-tariff barriers. Given the range of issues affecting prices, the Government does not attempt to estimate goods prices.
Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of EU free trade agreements which will have novated to the UK when the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
In the event of the UK leaving the EU with a negotiated agreement, the UK and EU have currently agreed that existing international agreements would apply as they do today for the duration of the implementation period.
Nevertheless, we have been working with our trading partners to have bilateral agreements ready in place for when we need them, whether that is after an Implementation Period or for a potential No Deal.
We are making progress and have signed or agreed in principle agreements with 32 countries. Total trade in 2018 between the UK and these countries accounted for 63% of the UK’s trade with all the countries with which the UK is seeking continuity in the event of a potential No Deal.1 That has moved from 28% since March. A regularly updated list of agreements signed is available on GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/signed-uk-trade-agreements-transitioned-from-the-eu
1 The figures quoted above are based on total goods and services trade (imports and exports) with the UK, according to the most recent data (ONS, 2018).[1] They cover 65 countries that are party to 35 agreements. These are the countries covered by existing EU agreements in force in 2018. As above, this excludes Turkey, Andorra, San Marino which are part of customs unions with the EU and Japan, as the Economic Partnership Agreement only came into force on 1st February 2019
Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has put in place a timeframe for negotiations on the UK joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Hollingbery
We continue to consider accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, including analysis of the texts and assessment of the UK’s interests in relation to them.
Any timelines will depend entirely on progress made if and when we enter negotiations.
Potential CPTPP accession was part of the Government’s public consultation on new trade agreements markets along with the US, Australia, and New Zealand. We are currently reviewing the 150,000 responses we received on CPTPP and a response will be provided in due course.
Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when will he plans to publish the UK's tariff schedule for trade after 29 March 2019 as part of no deal preparations.
Answered by George Hollingbery
I refer my Rt hon Friend for Wokingham to the answer I gave to my hon Friend for Woking on 25 October 2018, UIN: 181234.
Asked by: John Redwood (Conservative - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to introduce zero tariffs on components imported for just-in time automotive production as part of the UK's tariff schedule on leaving the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The UK will be able to decide its own tariff policy following withdrawal from the EU. We are examining a range of options for our future tariff regime and we will consider carefully the evidence available to us before making a final decision in the interests of UK business and consumers.