On 15 June 2021, the Minister of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon John Whittingdale MP, responded to a written question on a digital free trading zone.
The question was asked by Labour MP for Preston Sir Mark Hendrick. The question inquired as to whether the Secretary of state would work with the Secretary of State for International Trade to consider the merits of working with both the US and EU, in order to create a digital free trading zone.
Please see the full answer below:
Digital Free Trade
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
15 June 2021
Mark Hendrrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for International Trade of the potential merits of working with his counterparts in the (a) EU and (b) US Administration to create a digital free trading zone.
John Whittingdale: Digital trade is one of the government’s top trade priorities. The ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on electronic commerce present an excellent opportunity to agree plurilateral rules on digital trade. The UK is an active participant and the government is fully committed to a successful outcome that liberalises digital trade across all those WTO members taking part, which includes the European Union and the United States.
The UK’s digital ambition will also be driven through bilateral trade agreements. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement includes some of the world’s most liberalising provisions for digital trade. The government is also negotiating a modern, ambitious digital trade chapter with the US as a part of the UK-US FTA.