Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate the Government has made of the total annual savings to businesses and consumers from the elimination of and reductions in tariffs proposed in the UK Global Tariff.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The United Kingdom’s Global Tariff (UKGT) liberalises £62 billion worth of trade, benefitting businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland and across the country.
It is tailored for our economy and includes £30 billion from liberalising key goods of inputs into our supply chains and £15 billion from removing nuisance tariffs, compared to the current tariff set centrally by the EU in Brussels.
The UKGT will expand consumer choice, driving competitive prices for families, while lowering cost pressures for businesses too and making sure they are able to compete globally from a strong foundation at home.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that the imposition of EU tariffs on goods entering the Northern Irish market from Great Britain will not lead to Northern Irish businesses and consumers missing out on the benefits of the UK Global Tariff.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
Northern Ireland is, and remains, part of the United Kingdom’s customs territory.
Northern Irish businesses and consumers will?benefit from the United Kingdom’s Global Tariff – which is tailored for our economy and allows us to trade on our own terms – along with any preferential arrangements in place, such as free trade agreements.
The current intention is that EU tariffs should only be charged?on ‘at risk’ goods that are destined for the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere in the EU,?as the Protocol makes clear.?The?specific list of ‘at risk’ goods will be a matter for consideration in the Joint Committee.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans his Department has to make use of the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport and potential new long-haul air links arising from that expansion in negotiating future trade agreements.
Answered by Mark Garnier
I refer the hon Member for East Antrim to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Copeland on 11 November 2016, UIN: 52613.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that human rights considerations are included in the negotiation of future international trade and investment agreements.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Until the UK leaves the EU, we will remain subject to EU trade & investment agreements and policy, of which human rights is a fundamental principle. The UK has a strong history of protecting human rights and promoting our values globally. We will in due course consider all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to include the issue of corporate responsibility to respect human rights in international investment agreements after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Until the UK leaves the EU, we will remain subject to EU trade & investment agreements and policy, of which human rights is a fundamental principle. The UK has a strong history of protecting human rights and promoting our values globally. We will in due course consider all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements.