Question to the Department for International Trade:

For what reasons her Department is prioritising trade deals with the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

As we prepare to leave the EU our priority has been the roll over of existing EU trade agreements.

As we prepare to have our own independent trade policy for the first time in over four decades our ambition for our country is to secure free trade agreements (FTA) with countries covering 80% of UK trade within three years of leaving the EU.

The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are highly developed and likeminded economies. They are free market democracies and allies. Each has made clear they welcome the prospect of reaching a FTA with us making them natural lead partners in this endeavour.