Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had recent discussions on potential aerospace trade with (a) the UK Aerospace Industry and (b) her international counterparts in countries with which the UK seeks future trade deals.

The Aerospace sector is a critical part of our economy and great example of the exporting potential of the UK, having exported £24.3bn of goods and services in 2020, over 97% of total production.

The Secretary of State and the DIT ministerial team has regular engagement with several aerospace companies to help boost their exports and secure vital foreign investment into the sector.

The aerospace sector is governed by bi-lateral and multilateral agreements that facilitate low and zero tariffs on the trade in aircraft goods, but the sector can also benefit from provisions in FTAs, for example digital and innovation.

Leveraging our extensive overseas network, Ministers are constantly looking for opportunities for British companies, including those in the Aerospace sector.