Trade Secretary visits Washington DC
today (Mon 14 Nov) to promote UK-US trade and encourage western
allies to do more together to future-proof the global economy
against shocks.
On her first visit to DC in the role, she will make a speech at
the free market think tank Cato Institute, telling US political
figures that now is the time for allies to face down
protectionism and promote strong trading alliances to challenge
the increasing threat of authoritarian states.
She will say the UK and US will work together to future-proof
their economies by shaping the global rules of trade, promoting
more diverse, resilient supply chains, investing in cutting-edge
technology that will support jobs of the future, and protecting
our long-term energy security.
The US is the UK’s largest trading partner, and every day more
than one million people get up and go to work for British
companies in America, and almost 1.5 million people do the same
for American companies in the UK.
Kemi Badenoch will use meetings on the Hill with senior
representatives of both parties to make the case for boosting our
transatlantic trade relationship even further in the years ahead.
Trade Secretary said:
“The US and UK share the same values – freedom and free trade –
and the result is a partnership more important than any other in
the world.
“I’m in DC to boost our trading relationship further and work
with allies on critically important issues like strengthening
supply chains, protecting our long-term energy security and
creating jobs in industries of the future.
“Both the UK and the US know we cannot have security at home
without security abroad, and we need to make the global economy
resilient to future shocks. Now is the time to roll up our
sleeves and show how muscular liberalism and free trade are a
force for good in the world.”
While there Trade Secretary Badenoch is due to meet with US
Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, and members of the House
Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee.
She will also speak at a US Chamber of Commerce roundtable event
with key US businesses to promote the UK’s low-tax, high-talent,
business friendly environment and highly innovative economy.
Badenoch will also discuss how trade policy can break down
barriers for women as business owners, entrepreneurs, and
consumers at the Washington Post Global Women’s Summit, at which
Hillary Clinton is also set to appear.
The visit follows a series of successful transatlantic trade
talks between the UK and US which have delivered the removal of
harmful 232 tariffs on UK steel, an end to the 25-year ban on
British lamb, and the suspension of harmful 25% tariffs on UK
products like Scotch Whisky.
The UK is also pursuing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with
individual US states to unlock barriers to business and pave the
way for more UK and US businesses to invest, export, expand, and
create jobs. We have already signed MoUs with Indiana and North
Carolina this year, with more to follow soon and ongoing
engagement with states including South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah,
Washington, Texas, and Oregon.
