Dr Liam Fox questioned on UK-EU trade following Brexit

1 February 2017

International Trade Committee takes evidence for the first time from the Secretary of State for International Trade since his department was created last year, following the referendum vote to leave the EU.

Witnesses

Wednesday 1 February 2017, The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

At 10.30am

Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
Sir Martin Donnelly KCB CMG, Permanent Secretary, Department for International Trade

Purpose of the session

The Committee will ask about the UK's trading relationship with the EU after Brexit in 2019, which will affect trade with the rest of the world.

The UK is leaving the Single Market—but the Government wants "a bold and ambitious free-trade deal". How will that be achieved? And how will a "cliff-edge" be avoided if a deal isn't in place when Brexit happens two years from now?

The Committee will also ask about prospects for free-trade agreements with the rest of the world—including the USA, in light of President Trump's promise to do a deal with the UK "very quickly".

The MPs will also look at the new Department's role and place in government. Will it have the hundreds of highly-skilled staff needed to negotiate dozens of complex trade deals in two years' time?

Further information

Image: British High Commission, New Delhi