Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with her counterparts in (a) Europe, (b) the Middle East and (c) Asia on procurement of the (i) Eurofighter Typhoon and (ii) other defence aircraft which were designed and manufactured in the UK.
Answered by Mike Freer
I refer the Hon. Member for Preston to the answer given by my Hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 1 July 2022, UIN: 25739.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) India, (b) the US, (c) South Africa and (d) the EU on an agreed draft deal for a time limited waiver on covid-19 vaccine manufacture ahead of the World Trade Organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference from 12 to 15 June 2022.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Membership reached a consensus-based decision on the TRIPS Agreement at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), held between 12 and 17 June 2022. The Decision, which has a five-year duration and is limited to COVID-19 vaccines, streamlines compulsory licencing processes for developing countries. The UK engaged constructively in the discussions with the wider WTO Membership, including India, the US, South Africa and the EU, demonstrating flexibility to help broker consensus.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if the Government will take steps to support the time limited waiver on covid-19 vaccine manufacture in the global south ahead of the World Trade Organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference from 12 to 15 June 2022.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Membership reached a consensus-based decision on the TRIPS Agreement at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), held between 12 and 17 June 2022. The Decision, which has a five-year duration and is limited to COVID-19 vaccines, streamlines compulsory licencing processes for developing countries. The UK engaged constructively in the discussions with the wider WTO Membership, including India, the US, South Africa and the EU, demonstrating flexibility to help broker consensus.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had recent discussions on potential aerospace trade with (a) the UK Aerospace Industry and (b) her international counterparts in countries with which the UK seeks future trade deals.
Answered by Mike Freer
The Aerospace sector is a critical part of our economy and great example of the exporting potential of the UK, having exported £24.3bn of goods and services in 2020, over 97% of total production.
The Secretary of State and the DIT ministerial team has regular engagement with several aerospace companies to help boost their exports and secure vital foreign investment into the sector.
The aerospace sector is governed by bi-lateral and multilateral agreements that facilitate low and zero tariffs on the trade in aircraft goods, but the sector can also benefit from provisions in FTAs, for example digital and innovation.
Leveraging our extensive overseas network, Ministers are constantly looking for opportunities for British companies, including those in the Aerospace sector.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on Russia’s role in the global food crisis.
Answered by Mike Freer
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has significantly exacerbated one of the most severe food and energy crises in recent history, which now threatens the poorest and most vulnerable globally.
The G7 is committed to providing support to those countries who need it and ensuring any sanctions against Russia have no direct impact on food security or supply chains.
The UK is working with Ukraine and international partners to help Ukraine export its grain and play its role as the breadbasket of the world. We will continue to fund humanitarian aid and economic support for those who need it most.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to ensure future trade deals tackle poverty in line with the Government's commitments to deliver the sustainable development goals.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Our Free Trade Agreements are a key means to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty and inequality. In line with the Government’s levelling up agenda, we are committed to ensuring that our Free Trade Agreements deliver opportunities for the whole of the UK.
Our recent Free Trade Agreement with Australia is expected to boost the economy by £2.3 billion and add £900 million to household wages each year in the long run. Government analysis suggests that the West Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West and Wales are set to see the biggest gains.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the war in Ukraine on international food and agriculture supply chains.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the UK's trade partners do not refrain from exporting food products as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Answered by Mike Freer
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine placed global food security under increased pressure. Russia has compounded this by restricting exports of some of its basic foods and fertilisers. As the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General has pointed out, trade is of paramount importance in preventing hunger, and use of export restrictions can trigger a spiral of further price rises and restrictions.
G7 leaders committed to avoiding export bans and other trade restrictive measures and called on others to do likewise. The United Kingdom has been leading efforts in the WTO to put food security and the importance of open markets on the agenda for MC12, and in particular called for the prohibition of the use of export restrictions on humanitarian purchases made by the World Food Programme.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of trends in UK (a) export and (b) import levels compared with other economies.
Answered by Mike Freer
UK trade flows are increasing, with the latest figures showing that in the 12 months ending February 2022 UK exports were up almost £50bn (8.2%) compared to the previous 12 months, whilst imports were up 15.6%.
Since the beginning of 2020 UK trade flows have largely been lower, driven by factors associated with the COVID pandemic, global recession, supply chain disruption, and adjustment to a new trading environment.
The impact of the global recession hit the UK harder than many other countries, in part because of our specialisation in services, which have been more negatively affected by COVID than goods production. Understanding the full impact of the different shocks, uncertainty and multiple factors in play will take time.