UK-US trade negotiations - New Lords Committee Seeks Evidence on Drug Pricing and More

The House of Lords International Agreements Sub-Committee has today launched its first call for evidence, seeking views on the ongoing UK-US trade negotiations.

The committee is seeking evidence on the full range of areas being negotiated with the US, with an initial focus on agriculture and food safety, healthcare and drug pricing, and digital trade and services.

The committee is asking for submissions of written evidence to be received by Friday 26 June, but the call for evidence will remain open throughout the negotiations.

Lord Goldsmith, Chairman of the Internaional Agreements Sub-Committee, said:

“The International Agreements Sub-Committee has been established to scrutinise how the Government negotiates new international agreements for a post-Brexit UK. This includes new trade deals.

“The Government has made clear that agreeing a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the US is an early priority for the UK’s independent trade policy. This has the potential to bring both significant risks and opportunities for the UK, and Parliament has a role to play in ensuring that these negotiations deliver a good result for businesses and people across the country.

“For this reason, we are now seeking evidence related to several areas in order to inform our understanding of UK-US negotiations, and we will continue to seek evidence for the duration of these ongoing discussions.”

Questions the committee are inviting evidence on include:

• Does the Department for International Trade (DIT) have the right objectives in mind for UK-US negotiations?
   
• What main points of disagreement have emerged in recent US trade negotiations?
   
• Might the UK-US pursue a mini deal instead of a comprehensive FTA?
   
• Could UK-US trade negotiations impact negotiating deals with the EU and other countries?
   
• What provisions should the UK seek on tariffs for agriculture goods imported to the UK?
   
• Could there be competition or opportunity for agriculture and food industries under a deal?
   
• How realistic is the UK’s approach to pharmaceutical and medical devices?
   
• What would be the effects if the cap on NHS drug prices were removed or raised?
   
• What are the opportunities and risks in agreeing new provisions on digital trade and services with the US?
   
• Do the devolved nations of the UK have any specific interests that need to be protected as part of the negotiation of a UK-wide trade deal with the US?