Oral Answers to Questions

Mims Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 28th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on strengthening the diplomatic relationship between the UK and the US.

[Mims Davies (Eastleigh) (Con)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on strengthening the diplomatic relationship between the UK and the US.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson)]

I had a series of excellent meetings last week at the White House, the State Department and elsewhere with Secretary of State Tillerson, Vice-President Pence and others. We discussed areas of common interest and shared objectives on Syria, Russia, NATO, global free trade and other questions.

[Boris Johnson]

This is a long-standing extraordinary relationship that goes from strength to strength. Hon. Members may know that last year exports to the United States rose by 20%. It is the absolute determination of the new US Administration to do a free trade deal that will take those trade figures even further forward.

[Mims Davies]

Visiting the Cabinet War Rooms this morning with youngsters was a timely reminder that the US is one of our closest allies and that a strong relationship between the two countries remains vital. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that it must be a key part of our new geopolitical role outside the EU?

[Boris Johnson]

I passionately agree with that. It is the function of the UK to be the intermediary between our European friends and partners and the United States, and to campaign for the things that matter deeply to us all: the transatlantic defence alliance that has kept the peace in our continent for the past 70 years, and, of course, global free trade, which is of huge value to all of us.