The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has made progress on
three key trade negotiations in the month of May. This statement
provides Parliament with an update on the UK’s trade negotiations
with Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland. The Government will
continue to keep Parliament updated as these negotiations
progress.
UK Israel Trade Negotiations
The second round of United Kingdom-Israel Free Trade Agreement
negotiations commenced on 09 May, concluding on 17 May. This
round of negotiations was hosted by the UK and conducted in a
hybrid manner; a group of Israeli officials travelled to London
for in-person discussions, with further officials attending
virtually.
Minister for Trade (): Prior to the round, the
Secretary of State visited Israel to meet her counterpart,
Minister Nir Barkat, to discuss the negotiations and the wider
UK-Israel trade and business relationship.
During this round policy officials held text-based discussions,
having exchanged draft chapter texts in advance of the round.
Technical discussions were held across 30 policy areas and 60
sessions in London. Negotiations covered the breadth of the
upgraded agreement.
The ongoing negotiations for a new modern Free Trade Agreement
putting services and innovation at its heart will upgrade our
trade relationship, worth £7.2 billion in the four quarters to
the end of 2022, supporting new opportunities for our businesses.
UK Mexico Trade Negotiations
The third round of United Kingdom-Mexico Free Trade Agreement
negotiations commenced on 15 May, concluding on 19 May. This
round of negotiations took place in Mexico City in a hybrid
format, with a UK delegation of officials travelling for
in-person discussions.
Officials held discussions across 66 sessions with 39 being held
in person in Mexico City. A key objective for the round, at this
relatively early stage, was to develop a more in-depth
understanding of Mexico’s trade policy positions and priorities
and use the opportunity to move our positions closer together
through detailed discussions on treaty text.
These negotiations continue to reflect our shared ambition to
secure a comprehensive and updated deal and to strengthen our
existing trading relationship, worth over £4.8 billion in the
four quarters to the end of 2022. Both countries agree that this
is an opportunity to complement and add value to the UK’s
accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
UK Switzerland Trade Negotiations
The first round of UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement
negotiations commenced on 22 May, concluding 2 June. This round
of negotiations was hosted by the UK and took place in a hybrid
manner; a group of Swiss officials travelled to London for
in-person discussions, with some additional officials attending
virtually.
Prior to the round the Secretary of State visited Switzerland to
formally launch negotiations with her counterpart, Federal
Councillor Guy Parmelin, where they discussed the significant
opportunities an enhanced trade deal presented for both the UK
and Switzerland.
During the round, officials held discussions across 30 policy
areas and 53 sessions both in person in London and virtually.
Chapter negotiators focused their discussions on establishing a
more detailed understanding of the outcomes the UK and
Switzerland are seeking and began to share early text proposals
to work from.
These negotiations demonstrate our shared ambitions to upgrade
and future-proof our current trade agreement to reflect the focus
of both of our economies by delivering modern provisions for
services, which represent over 70% of GDP for both our economies,
whilst also identifying opportunities to further remove tariff
barriers and create commercially meaningful opportunities.
Summary
The Government remains clear that any deal we sign, including
with Israel, Switzerland and Mexico, will be in the best
interests of the British people and the United Kingdom economy.
We will not compromise on our high environmental and labour
protections, public health, animal welfare and food standards,
and we will maintain our right to regulate in the public
interest. We are also clear that during these negotiations, the
NHS, and the services it provides is not on the table.
His Majesty’s Government will continue to work closely with
Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland to ensure negotiations proceed at
pace and takes place on terms that are right for the UK.
