US trade negotiations under Biden administration 'very slow ' - expert

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and US is moving on a very slow pace, according to Amanda Brooks, director general for trade negotiations for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), writes Feron Jayawardene.

The comments were made during a panel discussion at the Global Trade Conference which was held yesterday at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and was organised by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

The conference discussed international business opportunities, current state for trade in the UK, a global economic analysis and specialist panel discussions around key markets.

Amanda said: “The US FTA was moving very swiftly at one stage. Now, under the Biden administration this is not the case. The negotiations are moving at a very slow pace. They do not prefer to engage in negotiations with any countries, so it 's not only about the UK per se.

“But this is a negotiation that will have incredible business support both from the US and UK business communities and we will continue to press. ”

The panel discussion was chaired by GBCC president Deb Leary and included Dr Tariq Ali, deputy pro-vice chancellor of University of Birmingham, Andy Dawson, director and co-founder of Curium Solution along with Amanda Brooks.

Amanda also mentioned that the biggest focus of the DBT is to shift into the Indo Pacific region and the negotiations to enter into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are almost complete.

Tariq Ali spoke about the active role universities play to facilitate international trade and focused on the speculation coming from the home office to restrict the number of international students coming to the UK.

He said: “There are some noises coming from the home office about reducing the number of international students.

“A few years back, the government made some changes to legislation to restrict international students coming and when the work visa scheme was dropped by the Home Office, there was a massive reduction in students entering the UK.

“However, when the rules were relaxed again in 2018, international students from India alone brought in £10billion to the UK economy. ”

Andy Dawson summarised how Curium Solutions expanded to the US and Canada. He also mentioned three important lessons businesses should know when expanding to other markets.

He said: “Always react to opportunities as soon as you can and learn the core difference of markets in various countries. Always make an investment to the legal and tax sections to get the best possible advice in the market. ”

WIN-WIN

Mexico 's Ambassador to the UK will make it her mission to “understand the potential ” of Birmingham and other parts of the country, delegates at the Chamber 's Global Trade Conference heard.

Josefa Gonzalez-Blanco said it is a “win-win situation ” for the UK and Mexico to work together on trade.

“During my tenure I hope to be in Birmingham and different places - not just London, ” she said.

“I come from the south of Mexico and sometimes we feel neglected. That 's why I want to come to different parts of the UK because I understand the potential. ”

Ms Gonzalez-Blanco also championed Mexico 's credentials as a manufacturing hotspot, as well as its potential as a gateway for businesses looking to trade with North and South America.

BIRMINGHAM IS BACK

Birmingham has found its feet again and will continue to thrive as a major events destination on the back of last summer 's Commonwealth Games.

That 's the verdict of Professor Geoff Thompson, deputy chair of the Birmingham 2022 organising committee, who took part in a panel about investment opportunities in the West Midlands during the Global Trade Conference.

Professor Thompson, a five-time world karate champion, predicts the city will enjoy a golden era of hosting major events, continuing the momentum of Birmingham 2022.

He said: “Birmingham has found its feet again. There is an exciting major events strategy driving by Birmingham City Council that will continue the momentum of Birmingham 2022.

“Birmingham is back on the map as an exciting city. Many of the athletes who will compete in Paris next year found their feet during Birmingham 2022.

“Don 't underestimate the power of what has been achieved with the significant socio-economic investment that made. ”

Pictured: Mexican Ambassador to the UK Josefa Gonzalez-Blanco with Chamber international director Mandy Haque and president Deb Leary at yesterday's conference

Picture by Marc Kirsten