MP commends Government on its leadership at the G20 summit
This morning the Prime Minister gave a Statement following the G20 summit in Indonesia.
John asked,
“I commend the Prime Minister for the leadership our country continues to show at the G20 summit on a range of issues. As to our accession to the CCPTP, a trade bloc representing nearly 15% of the world’s GDP, does he share my optimism of the opportunities this will offer our exporters? For example, Scottish whisky tariffs will fall from around 100% to zero - even the SNP will be able to raise a glass to that.”
The Prime Minister responded that John put it well, that CPTPP membership was important for the UK and that our allies in the Pacific region were very keen for us to join.
John said afterwards,
“Leaving the EU has given Britain the freedom to sign trade agreements with the faster-growing parts of the world outside Europe. Joining CPTPP is a major step in the right direction and I continue to urge the Government to give it every priority. Membership of this trading agreement will strengthen our links to like-minded allies, and the USA may also join in due course.”
Notes to Editors:
- The CPTPP is the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership. It accounts for £9 trillion of trade and provides access to some of the fastest-growing markets in the world, including Mexico, Malaysia and Vietnam.
