Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the status of UK trade negotiations with Commonwealth countries; and in particular with (1) Canada, (2) Australia, and (3) New Zealand.

Strengthening and enhancing our bilateral trading relationships with Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, are key priorities for HM Government’s trade negotiations programme.

The Department for International Trade is committed to negotiating and securing ambitious free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand as soon as possible, harnessing the opportunity to negotiate a high-quality agreement with like-minded, liberal trading nations.

Similarly, both the United Kingdom and Canada agree on the importance of protecting and strengthening our trading relationship, now that we have left the EU and the Department is engaging constructively with HM Government of Canada on a seamless transition of our trading relationship beyond 1^st January 2020, so that British and Canadian businesses and consumers can continue to benefit.

In addition, the United Kingdom is also seekingaccession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Canada, Australia and New Zealand are three members.