EU Free Trade Agreements Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for International Trade
Desmond Swayne
Main Page: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)Department Debates - View all Desmond Swayne's debates with the Department for International Trade
(5 years, 3 months ago)
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George Hollingbery
I am sorry to duck the question, but that matter should be referred to the Department for Exiting the European Union.
Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
We trade very successfully with our largest bilateral partner, the United States. We do not need trading agreements, do we?
George Hollingbery
As we have already made clear, it is entirely possible to trade on WTO terms. However, it is far more preferable to reach trade agreements with third parties, because then we can trade on a preferential basis that allows us access to markets, the lowering of tariffs and the reduction in non-tariff barriers behind the border, which makes life much easier for our companies.