• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Post-Brexit UK-US trade deal could boost economy by 0.16%, Government predicts

The 0.16 per cent uplift was predicted under the best-case scenario.

Jack Peat by Jack Peat
2020-03-02 13:13
in Politics
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

A post-Brexit trade deal with the US is estimated as having the potential to grow the UK economy by 0.16 per cent, according to the Government’s negotiating objectives.

The £3.4 billion yearly increase outlined in the document published on Monday was predicted under the best-case scenario where the UK eliminates import tariffs with the States.

But if only “substantial tariff liberalisation” is achieved, then the increase estimated in 15 years was put at 0.07 per cent, or £1.6 billion, in the Governments’ preliminary assessment.

Pale in comparison to the benefits

Critics pointed towards estimates of a potentially larger hit to the economy caused by Brexit, and warned the blow will “pale in comparison to the benefits”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to obtaining a Canada-style deal with the EU, which previous Treasury analysis suggested could shrink the UK economy by 4.9 per cent.

The best scenario outlined on Monday was where a “deeper trade agreement” with “full tariff liberalisation” and a 50 per cent reduction in non-tariff measures is struck.

Under this, real wages for workers were expected by the Department for International Trade (DIT) to increase by 0.2 per cent, or £1.8 billion.

RelatedPosts

Nadhim Zahawi appointed chancellor

Steve Barclay appointed as new health secretary as Boris digs in

Watch: Dorries rushes to be by Boris’s side following crushing resignations

Now Brexiter Lord Frost wants PM gone as he releases statement

The scenario predicting a smaller boost to the economy was based on a 25 per cent reduction of non-tariff measures and a “substantial tariff liberalisation”.

“Hellbent on risking UK prosperity”

Liberal Democrat international trade spokeswoman Sarah Olney accused the PM of being “seemingly hellbent on risking UK prosperity”.

“Boris Johnson has repeatedly claimed that negative impacts of Brexit will pale in comparison to the benefits,” she said.

“But today’s analysis is clear: the gains from the best-case trade deal with Donald Trump will not come close to outweighing what we expect to lose from leaving the EU.”

Treasury analysis predicted that a trade deal with the EU similar to Canada’s would damage the UK economy by 4.9 per cent of GDP by 2035, compared with remaining in the bloc.

Leaving without a trade deal in place was estimated in the November 2018 study at having a 7.6 per cent blow.

Labour MP David Lammy, a prominent Remain voice in the party, cited the analysis and said: “So now you admit the potential economic benefits of a UK-US trade deal are just plus 0.2 per cent of GDP.

“In what planet does this boost wages or create jobs for anyone except the Tory Cabinet?”

“In what planet does this boost wages or create jobs?”

Meanwhile, the UK spelled out in the 184-page document that the NHS will not be on the table during free trade agreement (FTA) talks with Washington.

Ministers were also committing to “ensure high standards” and protections were maintained for consumers and workers, while “not compromising” on environmental, animal welfare and food standards.

UK negotiators would work to ensure that measures are in place to prevent hikes in medicine prices for the NHS, as the Government said the service “will not be on the table”.

“The NHS is not, and never will be, for sale to the private sector, whether overseas or domestic,” the document said.

The Government acknowledged public concerns about US meat, particularly chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-fed beef.

“Throughout the agreement, ensure high standards and protections for UK consumers and workers and build on our existing international obligations,” the document said.

“This will include not compromising on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.”

Hard bargain

Trade Secretary Liz Truss maintained a tough stance ahead of the negotiations, warning the UK will “strike (a) hard bargain” and is prepared to “walk away if we need to”.

Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, welcomed the publication, adding: “Lots of work to do – let’s get started.”

The PM had pledged to “drive a hard bargain to boost British industry” in the talks, which will take place alongside negotiations with the EU.

Talks in Brussels were to get under way on Monday, when the PM’s Europe adviser David Frost was to meet the team led by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

Downing Street had been urged by trade union leaders not to “cosy up” to US President Donald Trump during the talks, with the PM being urged to block any US manoeuvring to lower food standards.

Ministers have repeatedly faced demands to rule out chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef being imported from the US in any deal, with animal welfare and environmental concerns raised.

Crawford Falconer, the Department for International Trade’s chief trade negotiation adviser, will oversee talks with Washington on the UK side.

Negotiating rounds will alternate between the UK and US.

Related: Leaked emails show top official said farming and fisheries ‘not important’ to UK’s future

Tags: headline

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Boris Johnson regretted backing Brexit – according to his new spin doctor

UK company Ski Yodl launches £750,000 fundraiser to finance expansion plans during pandemic

Restaurant Review – Wheeler’s Rib Room & Oyster Bar

Man who sold Ford Fiesta for £300 then bought back for £7k, inspired by Pogba deal

Incredible archive of treasured items from former Labour PM to go under the hammer

How To Make: Beef Wellington

Watch – How The Handmaid’s Tale reflects the real experiences of women and girls

Another U-turn? Government now urged to close all schools in England

Watch: Airport staff could work longer hours minister says as passenger with restricted mobility dies leaving flight

Restaurant Review: Mei Ume

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.