Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the status of UK trade negotiations with the government of the United States.

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 most chapter areas are now in the advanced stages of talks.

Shortly before the fourth 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, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade 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.

The fifth round of talks will take place in mid-October, with additional intersessional discussions taking place in the meantime.