TRUSTPOLITICS
Mr Douglas Alexander

Mr Douglas Alexander

Labour (Co-op) — Lothian East

Speaking in the House of Commons on 8 May 2025

Debate

Trade Negotiations

Contribution

It has been a feature of the last few months, since the President was elected, that people have thought that trade policy and tariffs are synonymous. My hon. Friend is exactly right to recognise that a growing proportion of trade is conducted electronically. The UK is an almost 81% services-based economy. We therefore have a huge interest in non-tariffs barriers—not just barriers at the border but barriers behind the border. That is an area of focus in the agreement, and one that will require further work, as is appropriate and right. We were working under huge time pressure to address the tariff issue, for the reasons I have set out, but he is entirely right to recognise that we will take forward an ambitious agenda on non-tariff barriers.
← Previous speaker
In this debate
Next speaker →
In this debate

More from Mr Douglas Alexander

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

View Mr Douglas Alexander's full report card →

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Mr Douglas Alexander's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Mr Douglas Alexander report card.