China: Market Economy Status Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Lord Garel-Jones
Main Page: Lord Garel-Jones (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Garel-Jones's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(8 years ago)
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Lord Price
The noble Lord is of course right that we would be able to do that. It is worth considering the fact, though, that Australia took 13 years to reach an agreement with China. It is not about just one or two agreements. I think we would have to negotiate the best part of 60 agreements at the moment, so it would be a considerable piece of work. It can of course be done but, through that period, there will be a time of uncertainty.
Lord Garel-Jones (Con)
My Lords, is this not just another example of important international decisions being taken in which Britain would have virtually no role to play whatsoever, were we to leave the European Union?
Lord Price
The noble Lord is of course right. Being a member of the EU gives us the opportunity to take part in all kinds of discussions around the world on a whole range of topics.