Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to oppose the EU decision in the event that the EU grants Generalised System of Preferences Plus status to trade between the EU and Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

The European Commission will assess Sri Lanka’s request to benefit from the tariff preferences under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). If the request is accepted, the Commission will adopt a Delegated Act for approval by the EU Member States and the European Parliament. The UK Government will assess the application according to the provisions in the EU’s GSP Regulation (978/2012).