HM Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. HM Government regularly reports on violations of these freedoms, including in an annual report published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

We are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of rights and responsibilities. We will continue to take a balanced approach with our partners, delivering the best outcome for the United Kingdom, maximising the benefits of trade and upholding our values.

We have no plans not to follow the provisions of the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, agreed on 11 September. After the agreement is signed, we will lay the full text in parliament. We will also publish a parliamentary report, setting out in detail any areas where there are material differences between the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement locks in the benefits of the EU-Japan deal, and goes even further in a number of areas, including;

• Cutting-edge digital & data provisions,

• Improved market access for UK financial services,

• More generous rules of origin provisions for some goods, and

• Opening the door for more British products to be protected in Japan by geographical indications.

We will publish a parliamentary report for the UK-Japan agreement prior to ratification, clearly highlighting areas where there are specific material differences between the EU Economic Partnership Agreement and this deal.

While the detail of free trade agreements (FTAs) are reserved for formal negotiations, the United Kingdom has publicly committed to negotiating agreements that protect and maintain our high standards on labour and environment. HM Government has been consistently clear in our published outline approaches to FTAs with the US, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia that we will seek strong provisions on sustainability. We will continue to work closely with international partners and business to ensure that future trade is sustainable and upholds the United Kingdom’s high standards.

The United Kingdom concluded negotiations and signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) states in January 2019. Mauritius is a member of ESA and one of the signatory states. This agreement will provide preferential trading arrangements for both the United Kingdom and Mauritius once it has entered into force.

The Government regularly assesses all developments that may affect ongoing trade negotiations around the world. We also continue to engage with US partners on a bipartisan basis, at the federal and state level.

As both the UK and US have repeatedly made clear, we are seeking a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will benefit people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

It is not for the UK to comment on the US election and decisions the US may or may not wish to take in advance of the election. We will continue to pursue an ambitious and wide-ranging FTA over the coming months.

The Department for International Trade consistently champions the British music industry and the incredible talent which makes the sector such a great success story for the UK.

The Government has put in place unprecedented support for businesses and workers to protect them against the economic impact of COVID-19. In 2020/21, the Government is providing export support of around £1 million to UK music companies. Most of this is grant support offered to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK’s music sector through the International Showcase Fund and the Music Export Growth Scheme.

During the pandemic, the Government has provided support for digital events so music companies can continue to do business with international customers. The Government is working closely with the Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board, which includes music representatives, to develop a creative industries ‘Bounce Back’ strategy which will enable the UK music sector to maintain its strong international position.

The Government has been very clear that any future trade deals must work for UK consumers, not compromising on our standards. The Government will continue to support healthy choices through clear labelling, while respecting our WTO obligations to ensure that technical regulations do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade.

The UK will decide how we set and maintain our own standards and regulations and we have been clear that we will not compromise on our high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards now that we have left the European Union.

Any future deal with the US must work for UK consumers, farmers and companies. Without exception, imports into the UK will meet our stringent food safety standards.

The UK will decide how we set and maintain our own standards and regulations and we will not compromise on our high standards of food safety and animal welfare.

The UK’s food regulators will continue to provide independent advice to ensure that all food imports into the UK comply with those high safety standards.

Any future deal with the US must work for UK consumers, farmers and companies. Without exception, imports into the UK will meet our stringent food safety standards.

The Government is committed to a transparent trade policy and will continue engaging with stakeholders, including the food and drinks industry, throughout negotiations.

Our Strategic Trade Advisory Group (STAG) and Expert Trade Advisory Groups (ETAGs), including a dedicated Agri Food ETAG set up jointly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, regularly discuss the proposed UK-US Free Trade Agreement.

Our trade talks with the US have been based on our negotiating objectives, published on 2 March 2020. The public consultation supporting these objectives was one of the largest in UK Government’s history, receiving nearly 160,000 responses.

The Government is committed to a transparent trade policy and will continue engaging with stakeholders, including the food and drinks industry, throughout negotiations.

Our Strategic Trade Advisory Group (STAG) and Expert Trade Advisory Groups (ETAGs), including a dedicated Agri Food ETAG set up jointly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, regularly discuss the proposed UK-US Free Trade Agreement.

Our trade talks with the US have been based on our negotiating objectives, published on 2 March 2020. The public consultation supporting these objectives was one of the largest in UK Government’s history, receiving nearly 160,000 responses.

HM Government launched negotiations on a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and the United States of America on 5th May 2020. We plan to launch negotiations with Japan this month and with Australia and New Zealand shortly after. We also continue to work to secure continuity agreements with all remaining countries that had a trade agreement with the EU on 31st January 2020. To date, HM Government has signed 20 agreements with 48 countries.

Agreements Signed to Date:

• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein
• Iceland, Norway
• Israel
• the Palestinian Authority
• Chile
• the Faroe Islands
• Eastern and Southern Africa states (Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe)
• The Pacific states (Fiji and Papua New Guinea)
• A series of CARIFORUM countries (Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, The Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago)
• Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru)
• Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama)
• South Korea
• Lebanon
• Tunisia
• SACU+M
• Georgia
• Morocco
• Jordan
• Kosovo

Agreements yet to be Signed

• Algeria
• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzigovina
• Cameroon
• Canada
• Cote d’Ivoire
• East African Community (EAC)
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Ukraine

Our first priority is to deliver continuity in our trading arrangements on leaving the EU. The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries once we leave the EU. This will provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme by granting duty-free, quota-free access to 48 Least Developed Countries, including Kiribati.

In addition, the existing EU-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), currently in effect between the EU, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, provides for other Pacific countries to apply to accede to it, including Kiribati. The new UK-Pacific States EPA, signed on 14 March between the UK, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, carries over this accession commitment.

The Government is working with the Indonesian Government to address existing trade barriers between the two countries, and to consider options for strengthening our bilateral trading relationship in the future. We also continue to support the ongoing EU-CEPA negotiations.

To support trade with developing countries, the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme. This will provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme, granting duty-free, quota-free access to 48 Least Developed Countries and granting generous tariff reductions to other developing countries, including Indonesia.

When we leave the EU, we will provide the same level of preferential access to Nigeria. The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries, including Nigeria.

A trade agreement between the EU and 16 West African States has been signed by almost all the parties, but it is not currently in force. Therefore, as no agreement is currently being implemented, the UK is not transitioning this agreement.

The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries when we leave the EU. This will provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme, granting duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Vanuatu.

On 14 March 2019, the UK-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement (UK EPA) was signed, providing continuity for businesses, exporters and consumers as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The current parties to the UK EPA are the UK, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

As Vanuatu has not signed the EU-Pacific States EPA it is not party to the transitioned UK EPA, although it is eligible to apply to accede in the future.

Discussions with Australia on a future bilateral trade agreement have focussed on building a shared understanding of both countries’ ambitions for future trading arrangements. The subject of frozen state pensions has not formed part of our trade discussions with Australia. This policy area is primarily a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions.

As the UK exits the EU, it remains our priority to replicate the effects of the EU-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and implement it from exit day or as soon as possible thereafter. As Tuvalu has not signed the EU-Pacific EPA it is not party to the transitioned UK EPA although it is eligible to accede in the future.

The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries. This will provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme, granting duty-free, quota-free access to Least Developed Countries, including Tuvalu.

Discussions with Canada to date have focused on continuity in our trading relationship through a transition of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) into a UK-Canada bilateral agreement. The subject of frozen state pensions has not been a feature of our trade dialogue with Canada. This policy area is primarily a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions.