Post-Brexit trade with Commonwealth and rest of world examined

7 February 2017

The International Trade Committee continues its inquiry into post-Brexit UK trade options with evidence from former trade minister Lord Jones of Birmingham about the potential impact of alternative trading arrangements after the UK leaves the EU and also the future of trade with the Commonwealth.

Witnesses

Tuesday 7 February 2017, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster

At 10.45am

Lord Jones of Birmingham, former Trade Minister
Lesley Batchelor OBE, Director General, Institute of Export
Marcus Dolman, Co-Chair, British Exporters Association

At 11.30am

Mohammed Razzaque, Economic Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat
Dr Peg Murray-Evans, Research Associate, Department of Politics, University of York
Lord Marland, Chair, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
Professor Nauro Campos, Professor of Economics and Finance, Brunel University

Purpose of the session

First panel

The first panel will look at whether the UK can expect to finalise a trade agreement with the EU in the two years before Brexit; the danger of a "cliff-edge" Brexit; and prospects for trade agreements with the rest of the world.

Witnesses will be former trade minister Lord Jones of Birmingham and representatives of the Institute of Export and the British Exporters Association.

Second panel

The second panel will look at the opportunities for developing UK trading relationships with the Commonwealth once a Brexit deal has been concluded, including the scope for increasing UK exports; the future of trade with developing Commonwealth countries; and the potential for trade agreements and exports with major economies such as India, Canada and Australia.

Witnesses include representatives of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Further information

Image: Commonwealth secretariat