I'm sorry @ShankerASingham but I can't let this article pass without comment. We need a better debate on trade policy than this. 1/
You say “The most critical phase of a trade negotiation comes in the final stages”. It isn’t. The most critical phase is before you start, in working out what you want to achieve. 2/
You say we should start with the US and TPP. Do you think it is wise to start these negotiations without being clear that NHS pricing will potentially be an issue? Should we protect the NHS in trade deals? 3/
Further on the US do you believe the UK should leave the EU’s single standard model and adopt the US multiple standards model? 4/
What are the specific areas where you think we will benefit from in a trade deal with these countries? What are the protectionist measures we aim to lift? 5/
And why these countries? Given for example we don’t have trade agreements with Turkey and Norway that can be easily carried over, why not start with these? At least we need a rationale. 6/
You say we should offer more liberalisation on tariff rate quotas at the WTO. Do you think domestic stakeholders might object to this as they have over fish? How should we handle any objections? 7/
Can you explain “an EU that seems intent on limiting the U.K.’s ability to chart its future”? What specifically does this mean? Does it mean for example accepting EU Geographical Indications? Do you think the UK could benefit more from GIs? 8/
We have learnt over recent years that trade agreements can be controversial. We should not ignore that and pursue trade agreements without proper debate 9/
At the end of the day, @ShankerASingham, we both want to see trade liberalisation and a global, growing, free trading UK. We can’t just assert this though, we have to win the case - and it won't be easy 10/
Rather than simply asserting “the U.S” I hope to work with others across the UK geographically and politically to help develop a sustainable, achievable, open trade policy which benefits UK business, consumers and others. That's our challenge 11/ ends
