Category: Trade

  • Greg Hands – 2022 Speech at the Chatham House Global Trade Conference

    Greg Hands – 2022 Speech at the Chatham House Global Trade Conference

    The speech made by Greg Hands, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 3 November 2022.

    Thank you Alan, many thanks for that kind introduction.

    I’d like to thank Chatham House for inviting me here to discuss the future of global trade and the pivotal role the United Kingdom can play in helping to shape it.

    Great to see our former Permanent Secretary John Alty in the audience.

    I was here at the inception of the Department in the summer of 2016, and returned again in the lead up to the Trade Cooperation Agreement and leaving the end of the transition period 2020-21, and returned again as I see you today.

    Actually the last time I was here, I did so in my former role as energy minister. And one has certainly needed energy to keep up with events in Westminster over recent weeks, as you may have noticed!

    Last time I was here, there was actually a demo about energy – just sometimes thinking that the world of trade is sometimes more erudite than you might get in the world of energy.

    But what has remained unwavering throughout is this government’s fierce commitment to free trade and open markets as the key to unlocking the UK’s economic potential and kickstarting growth.

    And this is a cause I have championed during my three stints as Minister of State for Trade, during which I have witnessed the transformative power of global commerce at first hand.

    This is a commitment to trade that our new Prime Minister shares. I’ve had quite a few discussions with him over the summer recently about trade and so it’s a cause that I know is close to Rishi Sunak’s heart, as it is to mine.

    Because trade is the most powerful force for human progress we have at our disposal.

    A force that has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty since the turn of the century.

    And that will drive the engine of global growth over the next decade too.

    Delivering enormous benefits for the United Kingdom and the global community alike, creating new jobs, fostering innovation and delivering prosperity worldwide.

    But trade as we know, is a truly global endeavour.

    And to deliver the greatest benefits it must be free and fair for all.

    That is why we are working with our global partners in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas to put in place the building blocks of this freer, fairer future.

    Calling out nations that don’t play by the rules and helping to build a global free trading coalition with Britain at its heart.

    I mentioned my recent return to the department, so if I had to outline my three immediate priorities I’ve identified in my work in trade policy (it’s not the whole of the department, we also have ministers for exports, investment and so on).

    But my three main priorities:

    The first is making sure the UK joins the CPTPP trading area as soon as possible. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. 11 countries around the Pacific Rim, four continents, 5 million people, a GDP of around 9tn pound sterling.

    It’s a perfect deal, a great match for the UK. With really modern rules of origin, digital trade. I was interested to see a really good session earlier on digital trade. And it will help to set new rules and standards for trade across the world, encompassing many of the world’s great progressive nations, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore. These are the countries that in my view are leading the debate on trade policy, and it’s a free trade area without a political union. It is in many ways everything that the UK has always wanted to join in my opinion.

    The second area is India, just the size and the prospect of India alone as a market is too impossible to ignore. And I think the UK’s traditional links and connections there are incredible, it’s not just the trade relationship but the investment we have with India, means that it’s an immediate priority for us to potentially be the first G7 country to do a trade deal with India.

    And the third area is to focus on the nitty gritty of trade work, the trade barriers, making sure we are focusing on removing trade barriers around the world, I’m talking anything from lot codes on Scotch whisky bottles to Taiwan through to German labour market rules, discriminatory Spanish customs practices – a whole host of different issues out there that prevent UK goods and services being sold and prevent them coming the other way.

    So those are my three priorities. And I’m going to return to each of those three throughout the course of this speech.

    So, first and foremost, we must work with our international partners to navigate a path through the economic storm unleashed by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine…

    … which has of course sent shockwaves through the world’s financial system, unleashing rising prices for energy and commodities…

    …Bringing about let’s be frank about it scenes of destruction – and I studied history as an undergraduate at university, and my main focus was 20th century Central and Eastern European history, and that is a period of an enormous amount of human and material destruction. And I think the sort of scenes that we’ve seen throughout the course of this year have been all too reminiscent of the first half of the 20th century. Something which is happening here in the first half of 21st century.

    But Britain is helping lead the West’s response to this crisis by supplying military assistance to Ukraine.

    And we are using the power of trade to support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom economically too.

    By removing tariffs on all goods from that nation under the UK-Ukraine Free Trade agreement.

    And providing other economic support – including £1bn in loan guarantees.

    While working with our allies around the world to impose unprecedented trade sanctions on Russia.

    But we know that our work is far from done.

    The invasion has revealed the fragility of global peace and security. And there was a fascinating session you’ve just had on supply chains which after pandemic has revealed lots of global vulnerabilities which many of us thought or suspected were there but have been brought into sharp focus this year.

    A line has been drawn in the sand between liberty and tyranny.

    And as we look to the future we must ask ourselves what kind of country we wish to be.

    A nation that looks outwards to the world? An open, interconnected, truly global Britain that builds new bridges of trade and investment?

    Or a country that battens down the hatches and hides behind protectionist trade barriers?

    And we must decide what kind of world we wish to build.

    A world in which liberty, democracy and security are the norm – and in which free, fair, rules-based trade can come to the fore.

    I’m very much in that camp and this government is as well.

    Or a world in which authoritarianism, protectionism and corruption hold sway?

    It is clear to this government which path the United Kingdom must take.

    We must work with our democratic allies to help shape the international order of the future. With free trade forged at its heart.

    Britain and our allies must push hard for reform of the World Trade Organisation for example so that the rules underpinning global trade are fit for purpose.

    Strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism and holding states that break the rules to account.

    Standing with our partners to confront shared challenges.

    As we did earlier this year at the 12th Ministerial WTO Conference in Geneva – our first as a renewed independent member of the WTO…

    …Where we signed a joint declaration on trade’s key role in underpinning global food security.

    Strengthening our multilateral partnerships will be more important now than ever before as the global economic axis shifts eastwards.

    China’s increasing international assertiveness and the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific will be among the most significant geopolitical and geo-economic shifts this decade.

    And our response will help define our relationship with the world that emerges in the decades ahead.

    The UK’s future prosperity is dependent on deepening our economic relationships with countries in the Indo-pacific region in particular.

    Which is why we are concentrating on building new bonds of trade and investment with nations across this region.

    Opening up fresh opportunities for British business in the cutting-edge industries that are shaping the world of tomorrow.

    Crucial to that is the UK’s accession to CPTPP – and another of my highest priorities is agreeing a deal with India which promises to be a game-changer for Britain’s economic ties with the world’s largest democracy and fifth largest economy.

    India is set to become the world’s third largest economy by 2030, and we are committed to building upon the living bridge of people, businesses and culture that bind our nations together.

    A shared commitment with India that Prime Minister Modi underlined when he welcomed the appointment of Rishi Sunak as our new Prime Minister.

    And our governments are making good progress in negotiating an ambitious FTA which could boost trade between us by as much as £28 billion.

    Setting British and Indian businesses free to trade and invest in each other’s markets.

    An FTA with India is a key plank of our work to position the United Kingdom at the centre of a network of free trade agreements across the globe.

    We have signed deals with 71 countries plus the EU so far, accounting for over £800bn-worth of trade last year.

    Including far reaching and innovative agreements with countries such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand that go further in cutting edge sectors such as digital and data.

    And we are working alongside our biggest single bilateral trade partner and closest ally the United States at both federal and state level to remove barriers to business… again with a very strong focus on services and digital trade.

    …Strengthening a trade and investment relationship worth more than £230bn.

    Beyond these deals we are making it easier for British firms to sell their goods and services overseas in other ways… my third priority

    …by tackling often complex trade rules and practical obstacles that block their path to growth

    Over the past two years, my department has removed over 400 such barriers to business – we have a database of trade barriers that we are seeking to remove… opening the door to global markets for British exports of all kinds.

    Successes so far include:

    Opening the way for first shipment of Welsh lamb exported to the US in more than 20 years…

    second…Tackling banking restrictions for British firms in Colombia, worth an estimated £55 million over 5 years…

    …And lifting restrictions that enable British apples, pears, quince to be exported to India for the first time.

    A broad cross section of goods and services.

    And we are going further and faster by using intelligence gathered from industry to target a “most wanted” list of obstacles standing in the way of British exporters.

    Unlocking a potential £20 billion-worth of new opportunities for our economy.

    And as we look ahead at the opportunities emerging worldwide, we are determined to strengthen our ties in our own neighbourhood too.

    Building on our trade and investment relationships with our allies across Europe – which still accounts for around half [around – 45%] of our total global trade.

    These are relationships that I am leading the way in strengthening in my role at DIT – as I travel across the continent to meet with politicians and businesses to help smooth the path for British trade and investment.

    Inevitably Britain leaving the European Union has changed that relationship, we are outside the single market, outside the customs union. But we have the most comprehensive Free Tree Agreement between the UK and EU, so we need to continue to make sure it works well for British businesses and British exporters.

    Whether by addressing French customs procedures, Spanish labour laws or German business regulations. Flavour of the work we’re doing there.

    And this government is committed to using the power of trade to support global development too.

    Helping open the door to trade-led growth for nations across the developing world.

    This isn’t just right morally, it makes sense economically too.

    Because trade not aid is the path to long-term prosperity.

    And, if demography is destiny, then the future of the global economy surely lies in the developing world.

    Where the youngest, most dynamic and most rapidly diversifying economies are emerging.

    With developing nations offering the greatest trade potential on the planet.

    By the middle of this century alone, Africa is set to account for one in four of the world’s consumers.

    Which is why the UK has made tearing down barriers to business with developing nations central to our global trade policy.

    We’ve agreed Economic Partnerships with 33 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries so far, covering more than £20 billion-worth of trade.

    And we have removed almost all tariffs on goods from 65 nations through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme. Building on the situation we inherited from the EU but making sure we greened our tariff, lowered our tariff, simplified our tariffs to really benefit developing world.

    While using our position as a global finance hub to provide the investment developing nations need to build their critical infrastructure.

    We are making progress towards our goal of building a freer, fairer future for global trade with UK right at the centre of it as one of the most progressive trade policy countries in the world.

    A future that will develop for the UK but also for our friends and allies around the world.

    But we know there are many hard miles yet to travel on this journey – the department is six and a half years into its existence – and we’ve achieved an enormous amount in that time but there’s still a huge amount for us to do.

    The big decisions on trade we take today will help define the world of tomorrow.

    And we must have the courage to stand by our conviction that free trade and open markets hold the key to prosperity.

    So that millions more people worldwide can be set free to realise their economic potential.

    And embrace the bright future that lies ahead. That is the UK ambition, both for our own trade policy and for that globally.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Statement on International Trade Week

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Statement on International Trade Week

    The statement made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade, in the House of Commons on 2 November 2022.

    On Monday, I launched International Trade Week 2022, which will run until Friday with events taking place across the United Kingdom. Now in its second year, International Trade Week is my Department’s largest showcase of trade, exporting and investment potential in the UK.

    The week is designed to inspire businesses throughout the UK to pursue global opportunities, understand the UK’s investment potential and connect directly with trade industry experts. It will showcase key initiatives from my Department’s export strategy and provide an opportunity to hear from business about its work to support the UK’s race to £1 trillion worth of exports by the end of the decade. This Government continue to be committed to championing businesses to grow internationally and my Department will evidence this through our events throughout the week.

    With more than 10,000 business registrations to over 120 events across the week, there is clear appetite among British businesses to take advantage of the growing demand for UK goods and services, particularly from some of the world’s fastest growing economies. UK exports were £728.1 billion in the 12 months to end of August 2022, up £116.0 billion (19.0%) compared to the previous 12 months.

    Last year, the Department for International Trade also launched our export strategy and the “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” marketing campaign. One year on, we will celebrate successes to date and further promote our new products and services to business, as part our continued effort to deliver through the export strategy framework.

    On Tuesday, as part of the week, I also hosted the green trade and investment expo (GTIE) in Gateshead. The expo will inspire and encourage more high-quality, sustainable investment into UK businesses creating jobs and generating growth to benefit people across the UK.

    With increased investment in UK businesses, and by supercharging our exports, we will create jobs, increase energy security and resilience, boost productivity and build the expertise that will benefit the world. The expo will also demonstrate how the UK is bringing innovation and creativity to life, and how the ingenuity of British inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs is unlocking new growth, new jobs and new investment in clean and renewable technologies.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at Green Trade and Investment Expo

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at Green Trade and Investment Expo

    The speech made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade, in Gateshead on 1 November 2022.

    Welcome to the Green Trade and Investment Expo.

    Let’s talk about Blyth. Blyth is a coastal town 16 miles from here. Coal mining was its lifeblood.

    But when Blyth’s last colliery closed three decades ago, around 1,700 jobs disappeared. Some people thought that the town would be left behind.

    It is true that the past years have been difficult and challenges still exist.

    Yesterday I took some of you to see how the town is becoming one of the country’s most important bases for clean energy.

    It’s home to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, where the biggest turbine blades in the world are put through their paces.

    Another company called JDR is transforming the site of Blyth’s old coal fired power station into a next generation offshore cable factory.

    So, a town once powered by coal is now powered by wind. And all this is creating hundreds of jobs.

    Blyth illustrates the promise of the clean energy revolution.

    And the Government want to see this story of opportunity, growth and revitalised communities replicated across the UK, because at the end of he day what we are about is helping people live better lives.

    That’s where my department comes in. We believe that green trade and investment will be the future-proofing force that will help us create a better tomorrow, and I’ll give you three reasons why:

    First, we know that growing our green industries is crucial to reaching net zero.

    Some people raise awareness of climate change by throwing soup at paintings in museums or gluing themselves to the road. That’s not really my style.

    We in this room know that we can only tackle climate change by using free trade and investment to accelerate green technological progress. And we must do this in a way that does not impoverish the UK.

    Second, to protect our energy security we need to grow our own industries.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made it quite clear that relying on authoritarian regimes can make it tougher to heat our homes.

    Our trade relationships will help secure our energy supply. But it’s long-term investment in nuclear and renewables that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and keep down consumer costs.

    And third, as we are seeing in Blyth, green trade and investment acts as a future-proof by creating those jobs of tomorrow.

    The jobs that will drive economic growth and keep communities alive.

    And this economic angle is the subject I want to focus on today.

    Like many governments around the world, we’re dealing with low growth. We need to find our way through it. Because we owe it to our children and grandchildren to build a better, more prosperous future.

    A lot of this growth will come from the ideas being developed by green industries. We know firms that innovate, expand faster than those that don’t.  And the UK is quickly becoming the green creativity capital of the world.

    Let me give you some examples:

    Imagine being suspended on ropes 40 metres above the North Sea, balanced on wind turbine blade. That’s not just nerve-wracking, it’s also risky. But until recently that was the only way for wind power firms to identify and fix a technical fault.

    That’s now changing after an engineer called Chris Cieslak first designed a robot in his garage.

    His invention, BladeBUG, means a person no longer always has to climb onto the blade to identify a fault. And in some cases, BladeBUG can fix the fault too. This improves safety and boosts efficiency by keeping turbines turning.   That’s an idea that could not only benefit our own wind energy industry but those of other countries too.

    Steamology is a company developing zero-emission hydrogen steam engines from its workshop in Salisbury. An innovation that will prevent rail and lorry operators having to scrap valuable existing vehicles if they decarbonise – saving them money and avoiding waste.

    And it’s becoming safer for people to work in our offshore energy industry, thanks to innovations from Zelim, a company based in Edinburgh.

    When someone falls into the sea, every second counts, and Zelim’s AI-powered technology spots and tracks people in the water, and then its unmanned boat rescues them.

    All these businesses have been supported by our Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Blyth.

    There are so many other brilliant ideas like ones you’ve just heard about.

    The challenge now is how to capitalise on them.

    And we’ll do that through attracting the investment that will get these innovations off the ground and help businesses to export. Because this is a virtuous circle: Innovation needs investment to flourish, investment leads to exports, exports create growth and new jobs, and more innovation.

    And if we get our strategy right, the impact could be transformational on places like Blyth and the rest of the country.

    Our analysis shows that by the end of this decade, our green industries could create up to £170 billion of export sales.

    And according to figures from the Office for National Statistics, by 2050 we could generate 1.4 million green jobs across the UK. That’s one for every person in Birmingham.

    As the Prime Minister said last week, green jobs are the jobs of the future.

    But if we get our strategy wrong, we risk being left on the backfoot as other countries seize the advantage.

    So we need to act now and act fast. Here’s how:

    First, we’re focused on building our green industrial base.

    Right now, we’re creating a pipeline of brilliant opportunities for investors. In our British Energy Security and Net Zero Strategies we set out plans to drive £100 billion worth of private sector investment into green industries, including offshore wind by 2030.

    As you’ve already heard this morning, we’ve given ourselves an ambition of up to 50GW of offshore wind capacity by that same date – more than enough to power every home in the UK.

    Those of you who visited Teesside yesterday will see how we’re supporting development of technology like carbon capture and storage, as well as low-carbon hydrogen. And we’re doing some pioneering work in nuclear.

    But it’s not enough to create these opportunities, we need to tell investors about them too.

    So last year we launched our Investment Atlas, which showcases all the UK has to offer…

    From supporting North East Scotland to becoming a global centre for low carbon hydrogen, to building an electric vehicle charging network powered by solar energy.

    We’re bringing together people, businesses and ideas at events like this and at the Global Investment Summit we held last year.

    The Office of Investment, run by my department, has also helped to land billions of investment in clean technology.

    It’s also recently supported the Qatar Investment Authority to inject £85 million into Rolls Royce’s Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – each of which could power a city the size of Leeds.

    And the UK’s Freeports, which I know are of particular interest to many of you here today, are fast becoming hubs for trade, investment and innovation.

    We’re also building a pro ambition, pro enterprise environment in this country – a place where businesses can thrive and enjoy the stability and certainty for which we’re known around the world.

    With every idea, with every ambitious plan and with every transformed town, we are proving to global investors that the path to a green and prosperous future starts here in the UK.

    I’m proud that my department is helping the world wake up to that message.

    In just two years, DIT has helped to secure nearly £20 billion of green investment globally, creating 11,300 jobs.

    And businesses here today, from Spain to South Korea, like SeAH Wind, JDR, Smulders and Siemens Gamesa, are among those backing Britain and changing lives.

    Apart from growing our green industrial base, we also want to grow our exports.

    There are some fantastic businesses in this room that are already selling to the world, and I know there are more who want to join them.

    One of my biggest priorities as Secretary of State is to help you do that, so my department has set itself a goal of accelerating towards a trillion pounds worth of exports a year earlier than forecast.

    We know that many businesses that could export don’t, so our Export Strategy sets out our roadmap for getting you there.

    We’re also very aware that firms need money to grow. And my colleagues at UK Export Finance will help you get the loans and guarantees you need.

    Outside this building you’ll see the first hydrogen-powered double decker bus in the world, manufactured by Wrightbus, a company from Ballymena in Northern Ireland.

    Thanks to a guarantee from UK Export Finance, Wrightbus has been able to access a £26 million facility from Barclays bank.

    This will mean it can export its vehicles around the world, while supporting green jobs at home. And I was very impressed when I spoke to the team today – I hope to see more of this around the country.

    So we’re sitting at what was two centuries ago the epicentre of the industrial revolution.

    Just a mile from here Robert and George Stephenson built some of the world’s first locomotives from their workshop on South Street – the SpaceX of the 1820s. I hear it’s now a gig venue for those of you who like that sort of thing – it’s not really me, but what you will see here today is that the talent for finding innovative solutions is very much alive and kicking in the North East as it was then, and not just the North East, but the UK.

    So, I hope the investors among you will learn what this country’s green industries have to offer. And the businesses will discover how my department can open new markets for you. I look forward to working with you all.

    Thank you.

  • Drew Hendry – 2022 Speech on the UK-India Trade Deal

    Drew Hendry – 2022 Speech on the UK-India Trade Deal

    The speech made by Drew Hendry, the SNP MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, in the House of Commons on 26 October 2022.

    Welcoming a Minister back to his place is now a standard response, but I welcome the Minister back.

    Increased trade, ties and co-operation between India and the UK are welcome, especially in Scotland. However, that should not be at the expense of human and workers’ rights. Will the Minister belatedly guarantee that issues about human rights, the environment and health and safety, along with climate and equality concerns are fully resolved before any deal is signed?

    Does the Minister really believe that there is no anger and no problem about the Home Secretary’s comments in India that might cause difficulties for the deal?

    Scotch whisky exports to India are already subject to 150% tariffs. New Delhi has threatened even higher tariffs on whisky and gin in retaliation for domestic steel protections. Whisky and gin producers need to know that the UK Government are doing something to reduce those tariffs drastically. What is going on? What will be done to ensure that barriers are not just replaced at Indian state level?

    Jagtar Singh Johal remains in an Indian prison without trial. He has been detained since 2017. The UK has had four Prime Ministers and five Foreign Secretaries since his illegal detention. What is the Minister doing during negotiations to right that wrong?

    Greg Hands

    I thank the hon. Gentleman for that list of questions. As ever, the UK’s commitment to workers’ rights in our trade deals and negotiations and in all our international talks remains undiminished. That is fundamental for this country.

    I am glad that the hon. Gentleman mentioned whisky tariffs. He did not support the Australia free trade deal, which means a reduction in whisky tariffs. Tariffs on Scotch whisky going to India are currently 150%. I will therefore watch closely his approach to the deal. Our successful removal of the Airbus-Boeing tariffs has hugely benefited the Scotch whisky industry. I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman fully supported that.

    The hon. Gentleman raised human rights. At all times, the Foreign Office engages vigorously on the case mentioned and on other cases.

    Let me end with the SNP. On trade deals, it is even worse than Labour. SNP Members have never supported a trade deal concluded by either the European Union or the UK. They did not even support the trade deal between the EU and the UK. They voted for no deal two years ago. They were against the deals with Canada, Korea and South Africa. They did not even support the trade deal between the EU and Ukraine. They also abstained on the Japan and Singapore deals. The SNP is fundamentally against trade and the interests of Scotland as a trading nation.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2022 Speech on the UK-India Trade Deal

    Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2022 Speech on the UK-India Trade Deal

    The speech made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, in the House of Commons on 26 October 2022.

    I welcome the Minister back to the Department once again, wish him well and thank him for his response. I am also grateful to Mr Speaker for granting this urgent question.

    Not only is Diwali this year an important celebration, but it marks another milestone. In January, negotiations on the UK-India trade deal began, with the Government promising to conclude those talks by Diwali—this week. Under this Government, economic growth has been almost non-existent and promised progress on new free trade deals has not materialised. The Government are all talk and no delivery.

    Not only would an agreement with India be potentially worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and would provide new markets for exporters, but it would offer the opportunity to advance key areas of shared interests. Labour Members have also been clear that it should also be an opportunity to raise issues such as workers’ rights, and environmental and climate standards.

    However, it appears that progress on trade talks has stalled—this is yet another product of Conservative infighting. Members across this House are well aware of the comments on overstaying visas made by the Home Secretary, which have caused such offence. Does the Minister agree that the Home Secretary has completely undermined the UK Government’s negotiating position? Will he confirm whether she will be withdrawing those comments? Has a future target date for completion of the deal been agreed? Or is this destined to be kicked into the long grass, along with the promised United States deal? Does he acknowledge that the delay in this deal, and the US deal, means there is no prospect of the Conservative party meeting its manifesto aim of 80% of trade being covered by FTA agreements by the end of this year? Does he not accept the simple truth: on trade, the Conservatives have quite simply broken their promises?

    Greg Hands

    I am delighted to have the opportunity to answer this urgent question and some of the points that the right hon. Gentleman raised. [Interruption.] I will answer all of them. First, on his question about the end of the deal, we have been clear that we have concluded, as we said we would, the majority of the chapters of the deal. Sixteen chapters, across 26 policy areas, have been agreed so far. The right hon. Gentleman will know that, after each round of negotiations, a written ministerial statement, which he can study, has been tabled in this place.

    The right hon. Gentleman asked about visas. Perhaps he is trying to have a second go about the Home Secretary, about whom we have just heard an urgent question. I am not sure whether members of the shadow Cabinet are properly co-ordinating their urgent questions, but the right hon. Gentleman should know that we are talking about mode 4 arrangements. They are not immigration visas. They relate to business visas, not permanent settlement. The terms of the mode 4 arrangements remain an area of active negotiation.

    Finally, the right hon. Gentleman said that the Government were all talk and no delivery on trade. That amazed me the most. He is obscuring the bigger issue for the Opposition. Let us assume that we get a good deal with India for Britain and that we get a good deal elsewhere, as we have done with Japan, Australia and New Zealand. I have been away from the Department for a year, and in that time Labour has not supported a single trade deal that the Government have undertaken. The Opposition did not support the Japan deal, they were against the Singapore deal and they split three ways on Canada. Only last month, they abstained on the Australia and New Zealand deals.

    The Government are delivering on trade and the Opposition are in chaos and confusion. They have been unable to support a single trade deal to date and it sounds as though they will not support this one.

  • Greg Hands – 2022 Statement on the UK-India Trade Deal

    Greg Hands – 2022 Statement on the UK-India Trade Deal

    The statement made by Greg Hands, the Minister for Trade Policy, in the House of Commons on 26 October 2022.

    First, let me say that it is good to be back at the Department for International Trade.

    India is, of course, an economic superpower, projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050. Improving access to this dynamic market will provide huge opportunities for UK business, building on a trading relationship worth more than £24 billion in 2021. That is why we are negotiating an ambitious free trade agreement that works for both countries. We have already closed the majority of chapters and look forward to the next round of talks shortly.

    A strong free trade agreement can strengthen the economic links between the UK and India, boosting the UK economy by more than £3 billion by 2035, helping families and communities. An FTA can cut red tape, making it cheaper for UK companies to sell into India’s dynamic market, helping drive growth and support jobs across every nation and region of the UK. Greater access could help UK businesses reach more than a billion more consumers, including India’s growing middle class, which is estimated to reach a quarter of a billion by 2050, and give them a competitive edge over other countries that do not have a deal with India. An FTA with India supports the Government’s growth strategy, by taking advantage of the UK’s status as an independent trading nation championing free trade that benefits the whole of the UK. We remain clear that we are working towards the best deal for both sides and will not sign until we have a deal that is fair, reciprocal and, ultimately, in the best interests of the British people and the UK economy.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at the Netherlands Trade Mission in London

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at the Netherlands Trade Mission in London

    The speech made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade, at the Tobacco Dock in London on 18 October 2022.

    Good afternoon everyone.

    Thank you Ambassador and thank you Liesje for that excellent speech and also an extra special thank you to the Dutch government for organising this event. I think it’s going to be very successful. It’s good to see you all here.

    What I’d start off by saying is welcome to Tobacco Dock. This is a symbol of our trading past. It’s a modern building now, but I think if you can imagine 200 years ago what it would have looked like, full of barrels shipped from all over the world – some no doubt from the Netherlands.

    Today it’s great to see it filled not with barrels but with people, and more importantly with businesses who are helping to shape our shared economic future. The future of the UK and the Netherlands are aligned. Our success relies on each other’s success.

    It’s wonderful to see you all here because it’s the symbolic nature of the steady stream of Dutch firms that are making the UK their home.

    In the last year Heineken and the chemicals company DSM, have injected tens of millions of pounds into their UK operations, creating hundreds of jobs…

    And smaller Dutch firms, in some of the sectors represented here today, like the e-bike manufacturers Van Moof and Ebke, are investing on this side of the North Sea too.

    The UK and the Netherlands exchanged almost £88 billion of goods and services in the year ending March – that makes the Netherlands our fourth largest trading partner.

    And by our most recent reckoning, Dutch business make up over 10pc of this country’s foreign direct inward investment.

    But, as we’re finding today, we can achieve more.

    I want you to know that we want companies, like yours, pioneers in new forms of transport, AI and data analytics, to flourish in our country.

    Why? First, because you will help drive the growth that will support our long-term economic security for both countries.

    Second, because your ideas and expertise will maintain the UK’s place as a technological trail blazer, helping to future proof us against a changing world.

    But I must emphasise, it is not a one-way street because we have something to offer as well.

    In return we can offer you one of the best places in the world for an innovative business to call home.

    We have four of the world’s top universities.

    We have a growing, energetic talent pool…

    We’ve committed through our National Infrastructure Strategy to invest in roads, railways and internet connections – making it easier for businesses both in the UK and the Netherlands to set up and thrive.

    And we’ve created a pro ambition, pro business regulatory environment.

    We’re also looking at how we can unlock opportunities in some of your sectors today:

    For example, last year we launched our AI Strategy, which spells out how we will support the sector and harness its advances.

    I’m sure my international trade team at the back of the room will be delighted to talk more about this.

    They’re a great team. Over the last three years, they’ve helped Dutch businesses to invest in scores of projects in this country – creating over 8,000 jobs.

    Of course, today is also a reminder of the strength of the UK-Dutch relationship.

    Britain’s prosperity didn’t come about by accident.

    It was built through a commitment to democracy, free markets and strong and mutually-beneficial partnerships, like the one we share with the Netherlands.

    We are both monarchies, long-standing allies, and our friendship has lasted from the era of Erasmus to the age of AI.

    For many years now, British expats have been making each other’s country home.

    Our universities welcome students from either side of the North Sea and our academic collaborations, like the one between the Universities of York and Maastricht, are advancing knowledge in critical areas like medical technology and data science.

    The UK and the Netherlands work together to make the world a better place.

    For over six decades, our Royal Navy has prepared large numbers of Royal Dutch Navy warships so they’re ready for operations around the world.

    Today we’re together standing up for freedom by imposing economic sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine…and our businesses are collaborating on major clean energy projects that will help us keep the lights on.

    We don’t have many differences. But like any good friends, when we come across issues, we work through them.

    So, I know that there is great potential for our relationship to hit new heights.

    As two old friends with a love of enterprise, innovation and independence…we have a real opportunity to create an even deeper and more productive trading partnership, that will serve us both well in future.

    I’ve just been discussing our shared priorities with Liesje in our meeting earlier.

    And I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation about how we can make it even easier for us to cooperate.

    I’ll end by saying that this trade mission is the latest in a long list of pioneering and productive collaborations between our nations…

    In the sixteenth century, the Dutch philosopher Erasmus, discussed with the English scholar Sir Thomas More, ideas that would shape our societies.

    In the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh was inspired by his stay in London to paint ­and influenced countless artists around the world.

    And your businesses, with their amazing advances, show how together we can push forward the boundaries of progress in the 21st.

    Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth once said that our nations are: Innovators, traders and internationalists.

    That’s been true for five centuries. And from everything I’ve seen here today, I know it is more the case now than ever before.

    So, I’ll wish you all a fantastic trade mission. And every success for the future. Thank you.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Statement on UK-Gulf Co-operation Council Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Statement on UK-Gulf Co-operation Council Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

    The statement made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade, in the House of Commons on 13 October 2022.

    The first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom (UK) and Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) took place between 22 August and 29 September. The negotiations were conducted virtually.

    In this round of negotiations the UK and GCC discussed their objectives for the FTA, and exchanged technical information. Technical discussions were held across 29 policy areas over 33 sessions. In total, more than 100 UK negotiators from across Government took part in this round of negotiations.

    An FTA will be a substantial economic opportunity, and a significant moment in the UK-GCC relationship. Government analysis shows that, in the long-run, a deal with the GCC is expected to increase trade by at least 16%, add at least £1.6 billion a year to the UK economy and contribute an additional £600 million or more to UK workers’ annual wages.

    Both sides have committed to secure an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit for the 21st century.

    The Government remain clear that any deal will be in the best interests of the British people and the UK economy. We will not compromise on our high environmental and labour protections, public health, animal welfare and food standards, and we will maintain our right to regulate in the public interest. We are also clear that during these negotiations, the NHS and the services it provides is not on the table.

    The Government will keep Parliament updated as these negotiations progress.

  • Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Greg Hands Becoming Appointed as Trade Minister

    Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Greg Hands Becoming Appointed as Trade Minister

    The comments made by Grant Shapps, the Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield, on Twitter on 9 October 2022.

    Great appointment. No one is more experienced and knowledgeable than Greg Hands on Trade. A welcome addition back to Liz Truss Government.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Comments on Selling Lamb to the United States

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Comments on Selling Lamb to the United States

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for Trade, on 8 October 2022.

    Seeing our world-class lamb back on American menus is fantastic news for our farmers. Now they can sell to a consumer market of over 300 million people, which support jobs and growth in a vital British industry.

    It also shows our two nations working together to remove barriers and boost trade, building on recent resolutions on steel tariffs, and whisky exports.