Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government with which countries they are pursuing free trade agreements on matters which include the automotive sector; and on which agreements the negotiations are furthest advanced.

The United Kingdom is currently in negotiations with the USA, Australia and New Zealand to establish new Free Trade Agreements, and with Japan based upon the existing Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the EU. The UK intends to pursue accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We are also undertaking ongoing discussion with partners with whom we have not yet finalised continuity agreements transitioning existing EU Free Trade Agreements to bilateral agreements.

1.3 million cars were produced across the United Kingdom in 2019, of which 81% were exported. According to SMMT this represents £42.4 billion of exports, or 13% of the United Kingdom’s total exported goods. The industry is clearly an important exporter for Britain and is a significant consideration in all free trade agreements that the Department is pursuing.

It would not be appropriate to comment on progress while negotiations are ongoing.