Recommendation 10

A deal with the US would contribute 16.8% towards achieving the 80% target as the US is the UK’s largest trading partner.21 However, negotiations with the US are not currently progressing. The Department told us that in the meantime it is concentrating 10 Q 31 11 Q 36 12 Q 41 13 Q 6 14 Q 9; C&AG’s report 3.38 – 3.40 15 Q 9 16 Q 39 17 Q 40 18 Q 6; C&AG’s report, paras 20, 4.2 19 Chair’s opening remarks, Q 6 20 C&AG’s report, para 4.6 21 Q 6; C&AG’s report, para 4.6 Progress with trade negotiations 11 on improving market access to the US.22 In particular, the Department said that the Government has negotiated to end the US ban on UK beef and lamb, and is also pursuing a state-by-state approach to allow the UK to trade more at a state level with large economies such as California. The Department added that this activity also keeps the onus on a free trade agreement with the US as a whole.23