Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithA number of constituents have got in touch with me about how future trade deals can be scrutinised.
You may be aware that on the 16th July the Secretary of State for International Trade delivered an oral statement to the house, to set out the role of Parliament as we embark on our new international trade agreements - deals which I hope will be of direct benefit for jobs and consumer choice in Norwich. Please follow the link below for details of the statement.
I also wanted to share a letter I received from the Secretary of State for International Trade to update you on how the Government continues to develop its independent trade policy as we prepare to leave the EU.
The Government remains committed to developing an inclusive and transparent trade policy, consistent with past practice, with any new international trade partners. Plus, Parliament will be able to scrutinise new trade agreements, which, as a member of the EU, we do not currently ask our Parliament to do. You can find the full letter from the Secretary of State below.
As you will see from the letter, the Government has already opened public consultations on the intention to negotiate free trade agreements with the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Full details of these consultations are available at the web address below.
https://consultations.trade.gov.uk.
These consultations close on 26th October, and I would urge you to take part in the consultation. I always endeavour to pass my constituents' views to ministers, but this is an additional helpful way to do that.
Negotiating new trade relationships will provide a boost to jobs, investment and household choice in Norwich, which will have a direct benefit for all of us. As your representative, I remain committed to supporting our country in striking new trade deals. As we leave the EU, the huge opportunity is to have a good Brexit deal with our European neighbours, and good deals with the rest of the world too.