Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Blomfield Excerpts

Thursday 9th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

Clearly, any arrangements we strike will have to be WTO-compliant, but my hon. Friend is entirely right. British industry has recently experienced many difficulties, not least in the steel industry, in which he has a particular interest. He will know about the support the Government have given to that industry.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

This week, a report by the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union concluded that

“America’s significant commercial and financial presence in the UK has been premised in large part on UK membership in the European Union—the largest, wealthiest and most important foreign market in the world to U.S. companies.”

Do the Secretary of State and the Minister recognise the importance of our relationship with the single market to those non-EU countries with which the Government are keen to build trade and investment?

[Mr Jones]

The importance of the United Kingdom to the United States was reflected very strongly in the Prime Minister’s recent meeting with the new President, in which he showed great enthusiasm for free trade arrangements between the United States and the UK.

[Paul Blomfield]

Well, the significance of that and the “America First” policy is yet to be demonstrated.

On 24 January, the Secretary of State told the House that he is seeking

“a comprehensive free trade agreement and a comprehensive customs agreement that will deliver the exact same benefits as we have”.—[Official Report, 24 January 2017; Vol. 620, c. 169.]

Will the Minister confirm that that is still the Government’s aim?

[Mr Jones]

The Government’s aim is to seek a bold and ambitious free trade agreement with the continuing European Union that will be to the benefit of both the United Kingdom and the European Union.