Trade Agreements: UK Relations with EU
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of regulatory alignment with the EU on the UK’s ability to negotiate trade agreements with third countries.
Answered by Chris Bryant
The UK is committed to its obligations under our existing trade agreements. It is not unusual for countries to have different trade agreements, including deeper regulatory relationships, with their nearest neighbours. Negotiations with the EU remain ongoing, but we are confident that under any outcome we will continue to deliver our international obligations.
There are clear areas where closer alignment with the EU is in our national interest – supporting businesses and British jobs, and lowering prices. For example, negotiations on a food and drink agreement are ongoing and could add up to £5.1bn a year to our economy.
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