Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virendra Sharma and Liam Fox

Thursday 28th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Dr Fox]

Increased transport infrastructure will benefit all parts of the United Kingdom, and I would be happy to take up the hon. Gentleman’s case with the Transport Secretary at any time.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

7. What assessment he has made of the proportionality of the EU’s countermeasures to US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Dr Liam Fox)]

While we sympathise with US concerns regarding transparency and the overproduction of steel, we continue to argue that tariffs applied under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act are not an appropriate solution for dealing with these issues. We will continue to seek a constructive, permanent resolution with the United States to avoid further escalation, which would only harm businesses, jobs and consumers in the United Kingdom and the United States.

[Mr Sharma]

After we have left the EU and turned our back on our trading partners, what steps will the Secretary of State’s Department take to ensure that the UK can stand up to aggressive trade practices?

[Dr Fox]

Far from turning our back on any trading partners, we are seeking a full, transparent, comprehensive and liberal trading agreement with the European Union, and we will seek others. When it comes to protecting British industries, we can do that only when we have a trade remedies authority in place, and I have to remind the hon. Gentleman that he and his party voted against the Trade Bill, which establishes that authority.