Future Trade Deals and the NHS

A future trade deal with the US is projected to increase trade by £15bn, bringing more jobs, investment and higher wages.

All regions and nations of the UK are set to benefit, along with all sectors of our economy. This includes our agricultural sector, which is particularly important here in the South West. The Government is also negotiating a specific SME chapter to benefit our small businesses. 

The NHS, the price it pays for drugs and its services, are not for sale. The Government has been consistently clear about its commitment to the guiding principles of the NHS – that it is universal and free at the point of use.  The Government will ensure no trade agreements are able to alter this fundamental position.

We will not compromise on our food safety standards which include the ban on chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef. Without exception, all animal products imported into the UK under existing or future free trade agreements from all trading partners will have to meet our stringent food safety standards, as they do now. 

I want to assure you that the UK also remains committed to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals and will continue to meet all of its international commitments following a potential US trade deal.

The Government will seek to ensure investors are protected while always making sure the UK has the right to regulate and US businesses abide by UK laws. I have also been assured that ministers are committed to maintaining the digital privacy of citizens in the UK.

The Government is committed to transparency throughout the FTA process, and had already published a public bundle before negotiations began which included the economic assessment of the UK-US FTA and the government response to the public consultation on trade negotiations. The Government will continue to publish reports at regular intervals and is maintaining engagement with relevant stakeholders.