Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Tracey Excerpts

Thursday 8th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Greg Hands]

I thank the hon. Member for that question. We oppose these tariffs vigorously. We are stepping up talks with the US and we were pleased that in August the US did not extend the tariffs to blended whisky, and actually removed them from shortbread. The irony is that the Scottish National party are urging us to enter into direct trade talks with the US—something that we are already doing, but something that we would not be able to do if we followed its policy of rejoining the European Union. I just remark on the SNP’s chutzpah in urging us to do something to which it is fundamentally opposed: engage directly with the United States on trade policy.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

What progress she has made in securing a free trade agreement with the US.

[Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (SNP)]

What progress the Government have made on trade talks with the US.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)]

We are making good progress on a deal with the United States. We have just finished round 4 of the negotiations and we are discussing detailed tariffs and texts. We will carry on working right up until 30 October, just before the presidential election.

[Craig Tracey]

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer, and I also congratulate her on the excellent work her Department is doing to help to secure our independent trading status once we have fully left the EU. Does she agree that it is really important that, whatever the outcome of the US presidential election, we continue to work with the parties on both sides of the aisle to ensure we get the best possible deal for the UK?