Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress she has made in securing a free trade agreement with the US.

The fourth UK-US Free Trade Agreement negotiating round took place from 8 September to 18 September 2020. A Written Ministerial Statement was published on 22 September 2020, updating parliament on the progress of the round.

Significant progress has been achieved since launching negotiations in May 2020, and talks are at an advanced stage. Negotiators are now in the process of consolidating texts in most chapters.

Shortly before the 4^th negotiating round both sides exchanged their first tariff offers, allowing a series of detailed market access discussions to be held during the round- a notable milestone which demonstrates momentum.

In parallel to the negotiations, the International Trade Secretary held a series of key meetings with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. They share an ambition for a comprehensive trade agreement. The UK has been clear there is no set deadline for agreeing a deal.

In total, 162 sessions have been held over four negotiating rounds. The fifth round of talks will take place later in October, with additional intersessional discussions taking place in the meantime.