EU Council Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Monday 12th December 2011

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Kelly Portrait Chris Kelly (Dudley South) (Con)
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My right hon. Friend might be interested to hear that I have recently visited businesses in Dudley South that are now exporting to markets such as Mexico, Brazil and the far east. Given the decline of the European Union’s share of world GDP and world trade over the past decade, does he agree that we need to ensure that we have robust relationships with the rising powers in Asia and south America as much as with the declining powers in the EU?

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is right. What we want is the best of both worlds. We want to have the single market in Europe and use it to drive free trade deals with countries in south and central America and the far east, so that we maximise trade for Britain, Europe and the world.