To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government is proceeding with trade talks with the US Administration during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered on
11 May 2020
On 5 May, my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and the US Trade Representative launched negotiations for a UK-US Free Trade Agreement and agreed an ambitious timetable for virtual talks. The joint statement issued confirming the start of negotiations can be found on www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-us-start-trade-negotiations.
Negotiations will be carried out by video conference, ensuring that talks can progress during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More trade is essential if the UK is to overcome the unprecedented economic challenge posed by Covid-19, and new trade agreements are an important part of the long-term economic recovery, providing new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs who have suffered most in this difficult period.