BIA response to DIT consultation on future FTAs

The BIA has responded to the Department for International Trade (DIT)’s consultation on future Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the US, Australia, New Zealand, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

In our submission, we highlighted:

• Due to our sector’s integrated links with the EU, a close UK-EU relationship is more important than future trade deals
• Our top priority on trade continues to be the secure supply of medicines to UK patients as we leave the EU
• Together with a comprehensive deal with the EU, the continuation of current EU FTAs and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) provides important foundations for the UK’s post-Brexit trade policy
• The lack of clarity on the future UK-EU relationship makes it difficult to comment on what the UK’s priorities in potential future FTAs should be
• As the future relationship becomes clearer, so does the sector’s ability to provide more detailed information both the UK’s overall post-Brexit trade policy and specific FTAs

DIT’s consultations are now closed and the BIA continues to work with the Department to emphasise our sector’s priorities.