Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of trading opportunities between the UK and (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand after the UK leaves the EU.

Australia and New Zealand are close economic partners and allies. Trade between Australia and New Zealand was worth a combined total of £19.4 billion (in the four quarter to the end Quarter 1 2019). Through our on-going engagement with UK stakeholders, including our work to promote UK exports overseas, and with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, we have assessed that the UK could increase its trade and investment relationship with both countries, benefiting both UK businesses and consumers. We have committed to starting Free Trade Agreement negotiations with both countries as soon as we are able to do so.