Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
A deal with the US would contribute 16.8% towards achieving the 80% target as the...
Conclusion
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
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.3 The UK is ready to progress with a UK-US FTA when the US is ready. In the meantime, the department continues to work with the US on progressing state level Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). In April 2022, the department concluded the second Joint Dialogue on the Future of Atlantic trade. The department also secured the removal of Section 232 tariffs on imports of UK steel and aluminium products, supporting around 80,000 jobs across the UK.