Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the loss of supply routes to the US following the imposition of tariffs on UK companies; and if he will consider tariffs on imported metal goods.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Business and Trade are working closely with colleagues in DfT to understand and assess the impacts on supply routes of goods globally due to US tariffs. This is complex analysis and requires collaboration between multiple government departments.
We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal and this government will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. That is why on 3 April, the government launched a Request for Input from businesses, to keep all options on the table; and help inform the UK's response to US tariffs.
Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the requirements for (a) 24-hour pre-notification of invoices, (b) physical vehicle checks and (c) refusals of clearing charges by EU customers.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK and EU are like-minded partners with similarly high standards. We have been clear that the trading relationship can be improved, and that is why we are working with the EU to identify areas where we can strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit, such as the economy, energy, security and resilience. We are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of those discussions.
Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with businesses that trade with the EU on the potential impact of inconsistent application of border controls on the (a) time taken for goods to clear EU customs and (b) cost of exporting goods.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government is committed to tackling barriers to trade, including reducing frictions at the UK Border.
To do this we need effective dialogue with businesses. Minister Thomas and I recently hosted a roundtable to gather businesses’ views on how to improve the UK-EU trading relationship. My officials are also engaging with businesses to understand the barriers they face and how we can support them to grow and export to the EU.
DBT is also working across government to understand how initiatives like the UK Single Trade Window and the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) can improve the passage of goods.
Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
What discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on removing barriers to trade.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government is committed to improving the UK's trade and investment relationship with the European Union (EU). Only a few days ago I met the German Ambassador, and I recently has the pleasure of meeting with my Italian counterpart. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has had a range of positive discussions with his counterparts, including the EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis and other European ministers. As a Government, we are committed to restarting the UK-EU relationship, so from the Prime Minister down, we have established ongoing and productive engagement with the European Union and Member States.