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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 1 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Trade Agreements: Gulf States

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK and Gulf strike historic multi-billion pound trade deal, published on 21 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that agreement on food and consumer goods imports.

Answer

The UK–GCC Free Trade Agreement will make trade cheaper, faster and more predictable, supporting exports and imports of food and consumer goods.

The Gulf imports 80% of its food and drink. The agreement will reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, enabling goods to move more smoothly through borders and supporting more resilient supply chains. The government will continue to uphold the UK’s high food safety standards, and nothing in the agreement changes these. The government will publish a full impact assessment alongside signature which will set out the impacts of the UK – GCC FTA on sectors, regions, and protected characteristics.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5819
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Consumer goods Food Imports Gulf states Trade agreements
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk