International trade secretary Kemi Badenoch is visiting Washington DC today (14 November) to boost UK-US economic links ahead of a meeting between the leaders of both countries later in the week at G20.
The Evening Standard reports that Badenoch will use a speech at the Cato Institute think tank to argue for more UK-US co-operation on shaping global trade rules, with a move towards “diverse” and “resilient” supply chains, while supporting the jobs of the future by investing in new technologies.
The trade secretary is also expected to meet with US officials and politicians, promote the UK business environment to American investors and discuss how trade policy can break down barriers for female entrepreneurs.
‘Boost trade links’
The Saffron Walden MP, who emphasised the importance of UK-US trade earlier in her current ministerial stint, will say:
“The US and UK share the same values – freedom and free trade – and the result is a partnership more important than any other in the world.
“I’m in DC to boost our trading relationship further and work with allies on critically important issues like strengthening supply chains, protecting our long-term energy security and creating jobs in industries of the future.
“Both the UK and the US know we cannot have security at home without security abroad, and we need to make the global economy resilient to future shocks. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and show how muscular liberalism and free trade are a force for good in the world.”
State deals
Bloomberg reports that this is the latest effort by the government to boost post-Brexit cross-Atlantic economic links.
After previous attempts at a bilateral trade deal stalled, agreements with individual states such as North Carolina and Indiana have been reached as part of an effort to move trade relations forward.
Talks are ongoing with several other states, including Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas, according to Reuters.
G20 meeting
The visit by the trade secretary comes ahead of a meeting between US president Joe Biden and prime minister Rishi Sunak at G20 in Bali, where issues such as the Northern Ireland Protocol and the war in Ukraine are likely to be discussed.
The Guardian reports that Sunak is also expected to hold talks with other key trade partners including Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Indian leader Narendra Modi.
Negotiated agreement
The White House warned in September that any move to unilaterally amend the protocol could harm US-UK trade talks, as reported by the IOE&IT Daily Update.
Biden, fresh off a set of midterm elections where his Democrat party unexpectedly held the Senate and limited losses in the House of Representatives, signalled his preference for a “negotiated agreement” on the protocol in his first phone call with Sunak.