Call for people of the East of England to have their say in the UK’s future trade agreements

03 Oct Call for people of the East of England to have their say in the UK’s future trade agreements

Businesses and members of the public across the East of England can now have their say about how the UK should capitalise on new opportunities to forge trading relationships with the rest of the world as we leave the European Union.

The Department for International Trade is today (Wednesday 3 October) hosting a roundtable event in Exeter in partnership with the CBI to seek the views of businesses based in the East of England.

The event will focus on our future trading relationships with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Exports of goods to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Trans Pacific Partnership countries were worth £6 billion for the East last year. More than £1 in every £5 of the region’s goods exports went to countries covered by these trading relationship.

Getting free trade agreements with these countries will be crucial in fulfilling the new ambition set by the government’s Export Strategy to increase exports to 35% of GDP.

Members of the public can submit their views as part of four online consultations which are open until 26 October and last for a total of 14 weeks, which is two weeks longer than the European Union’s consultations on new free trade agreements.