Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the UAE.

The UK concluded a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on 20 May, which will strengthen trade and investment ties with all six member states.

The UK’s focus is working with the UAE and GCC towards signature and entry into force of the FTA, so that businesses can realise its benefits.

In addition, the UAE is seeking membership of the CPTPP, which the UK supports.

The UAE is the UK’s largest trading partner in the GCC, with total trade in goods and services worth £25 billion in 2025. The UK values this relationship and will continue to deepen cooperation in trade and investment.