Minister of State for Trade Policy is in the United States
this week (9-11 March), as the UK and US prepare to
kick-start free trade agreement negotiations.
Minister Hands will meet business and industry leaders, as
well as US government representatives in New York,
Pennsylvania and Washington. His visit comes a week after
the UK government published its negotiating objectives for
a free trade agreement with the United States.
In New York, Minister Hands is attending a meeting with the
Manhattan Institute, followed by a roundtable with
BritishAmerican Business.
The Minister will then travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
where he will meet Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture
and the Chamber of Commerce. He will conclude the trip in
Washington, where he will meet US representatives to
discuss the opportunities around the upcoming trade
negotiations.
Rt Hon Greg Hands, Minister of State for Trade Policy said:
From Harrisburg to Harrogate, this deal will benefit
people on both sides of the Atlantic. It will scrap
unnecessary red tape, bring more opportunities for
businesses, lower prices and create better jobs in the UK
and the US.
Securing free trade deals will be a key driver in
levelling up the UK, and a trade deal with our largest
single trading partner will benefit every UK region and
nation. I am delighted to be on the East coast this week
to discuss our objectives ahead of the negotiations.
Securing a trade agreement with the US is a priority for
the UK government. The country is the UK’s largest single
trading partner, with total trade reaching £221 billion in
2019. Indeed, government analysis shows that the UK economy
will benefit from a £3.4 billion boost, as the trade
agreement will increase transatlantic trade flows by £15.3
billion.
Almost every industry – from agriculture to business
services – will benefit, and the government is pushing for
a dedicated SME chapter in an agreement to help the UK’s
5.9 million small businesses.
Duncan Edwards, CEO BritishAmerican Business said:
BritishAmerican Business (BAB) is delighted to be hosting
Minister Hands as part of his visit to New York City; we
will be holding a round table discussion with business
leaders before a broader reception to launch ‘Growing US’
our publication showcasing British investment success
stories in America.
We will be working closely with Minister Hands and the
whole Department for International Trade team as the
UK-US negotiations begin later in March to ensure that
any agreement fully incorporates the views of businesses
large and small trading across the Atlantic.
