The US Trade Representative – Donald Trump’s chief negotiator –
last night informed the US Congress that the United States
intended to open formal trade negotiations with the United
Kingdom immediately if the UK leaves the European Union.
Robert E. Lighthizer made it clear that any negotiations would be
based on the mandate given under Section 102 of the US Trade
Priorities and Accountability Act, which:
- In Section 102(3)(I)(ii) mandates US negotiators to seek to
remove what it calls: “unjustified trade restrictions or
commercial requirements, such as labelling, that affect new
technologies , including biotechnologies;”.
- In Section 102(3)(I)(iii) mandates US negotiators to seek to
remove what it calls: “unjustified sanitary or phytosanitary
restrictions”.
- In Section 102(3)(U) mandates US negotiators to seek:
“eliminating and preventing the undermining of market access for
United States products through improper use of a country’s system
for protecting or recognizing geographical indications”.
Commenting, MP, leading supporter of the
People’s Vote campaign, said:
“Donald Trump and are determined to force
chlorinated chicken, hormone-fed beef and even accept orange
juice that contains maggots on British consumers.
“And President Trump wants to destroy the brand value of iconic
British foods like Cornish Pasties, Welsh Lamb and Arbroath
Smokies by allowing imported knock-offs to claim the right to
market themselves using these names.
“Section 102 of the US Trade Priorities and Accountability Act
could not be clearer – the aim of US negotiators is to reduce
food protection standards to the US level and to abolish
geographical indicators.
“This is what the United States means when it says it wants to
remove non-tariff barriers and never denies it. Instead he issues
a standard ‘non-denial denial’ that fails to address any of the
key issues.
“British consumers do not want this, did not vote for it and will
not stand for it. It is disgraceful that Brexit is being used as
a cover to reduce food standards and consumer protection. It is
just another reason why Saturday will see the biggest Brexit
protest yet as thousands march from Park Lane to Parliament to
demand a People’s Vote on any Brexit deal.”
/ends
Notes to editors:
The US Trade Representative’s Letter can be read here:
https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/20181017004930805-3.pdf
The US Trade Priorities and Accountability Act can be read here:
http://uscode.house.gov/statviewer.htm?volume=129&page=320
