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<p>I regularly meet with my ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of topics, including
our future trade agreements. This includes the quarterly Inter-Ministerial Trade Advisory
Groups, in addition to regular bi-lateral meetings.</p><p>Leaving the EU has given
us the ability to strike our own trade deals, creating new opportunities for our excellent
businesses in Wales to trade internationally. The Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
is the first we have negotiated from scratch since leaving the EU and shows what we
are capable of as a sovereign trading nation. This trade deal can boost Wales’ economy
by around £60 million. We have further achieved an agreement in Principle with New
Zealand, and through this Welsh automotive companies will benefit from the removal
of tariffs of up to 10% and build on their £3.4m of exports to New Zealand in 2020.</p><p>Further
trade agreements in the pipeline include agreements with India, the US, Gulf Co-Operation
Council, along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP). Joining CPTPP puts us into the dynamic economies of the Pacific
region, with UK exports to current CPTPP countries already set to increase by 65%
by 2030, equating to £37 billion for the UK as whole.</p><p>In addition to this, we
are also renegotiating FTAs with Canada and Mexico later in the year to build on our
existing bilateral trade relationship with these countries. These exciting trade deals
will open up new markets to Welsh businesses and create exciting new export opportunities.</p><p>Businesses
across Wales and the UK have the ability to seize the opportunities provided by these
trade agreements, and the UK Government will continue to support businesses to achieve
their trading potential. To support this vision, the UK Government has announced its
new Export Strategy called ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’, with the aim of helping
UK businesses hit £1 trillion in exports. This twelve-point strategy includes support
for businesses through the UK Export Academy, UK Export Finance, and a new UK Tradeshow
Programme, all designed to provide UK businesses with the tools they need to promote
and export their products abroad, and help the UK become a nation of exporters.</p><p>
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