Saqib Bhatti MP has asked the Secretary of State for International Trade about the potential opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands in the light of a potential trade deal with the United States of America.
Saqib asked: "The fact of the matter is our exports to the United States of America are growing at a faster rate than they are to the European Union and the West Midlands has consistently had a trade surplus with the United States of America. Does the Secretary of State agree that a US trade deal would open up new markets for small to medium businesses and herald many new opportunities for business and industry in the West Midlands?"
Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade replied: "There are huge opportunities in the Midlands for further trade with the United States of America, it’s already a very strong exporter to the United States of America. I believe one in five goods from the Midlands goes to the US market but we can do more to remove tariffs and also get rid of some of the testing procedures and non-tariff barriers that are stopping our car industry export as much."
