Smith, House Ways & Means Republicans seek ‘deepened’ trade relationship with UK

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) helped lead U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Republicans in calling for improved cooperation with the United Kingdom on economic policies, including a free trade agreement (FTA). 

As ranking member on the U.S. House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Smith joined the full committee’s ranking member, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), and 15 of his GOP committee colleagues in requesting that Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch work with them toward “the shared goal of deepening the United States-United Kingdom economic relationship,” according to an Oct. 12 letter the lawmakers sent to Badenoch.

The lawmakers wrote that they “strongly supported” U.S.-UK FTA negotiations during the Trump administration and want the Biden administration to re-engage in ambitious trade negotiations, including with the UK, according to their letter.

“As you may know, strengthened U.S.-UK trade relations is a key priority for congressional Republicans,” wrote Rep. Smith and the committee members. “While an FTA may not presently be on the table, we have an opportunity to continue laying the groundwork in our respective countries and stand ready to work with you toward that goal.”  

Rep. Smith and his committee colleagues also noted that while “many challenges” exist — including the Biden administration’s lack of prioritizing international trade negotiations — they “hope that these challenges can be overcome to pave the way for a gold-standard FTA that will set the U.S.-UK economic relationship on an upward trajectory while also advancing our shared goals of peace and stability,” according to their letter.

Among the House Ways and Means Committee members who joined Rep. Smith in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Tom Rice (R-SC), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), and Ron Estes (R-KS).