Fox accuses UK firms not wanting to export goods
Trade Secretary, who is a passionate supporter of Brexit, says reluctance among businesses to take advantage of trade deals was hampering efforts to boost the economy after Britain leaves European Union
LONDON: Liam Fox has been ridiculed over claims that British businesses are harming the economy as they do not want to export their goods abroad.
The International Trade Secretary, who is a passionate supporter of Brexit, said the reluctance among businesses to take advantage of trade deals was hampering efforts to boost the economy after Britain leaves the European Union.
Downing Street gave short shrift to his comments, which come a year after he sparked fury for suggesting businesses were “too lazy and too fat,’ with many bosses choosing to spend time on the golf course rather than at work.
In an interview with The House magazine, Dr Fox said: “From Britain’s point of view, our main advantage doesn’t lie in getting more trade deals, it lies in getting more trade.
“So, we need to do an awful lot better with the markets that we already have access to globally, our trading performance still needs to improve, notwithstanding a more than 13% increase in trade in the last year.
“We’re still way behind where our economy needs to be. So, we need to think about how we can make our economy export ready, and more investment ready as well, and how we get more of our companies to think about exporting overseas.
“I can agree as many trade agreements as I like, but if British business doesn’t want to export, then that doesn’t do us any good.” Asked if the Prime Minister shared his concerns, Theresa May’s spokesman said: “The UK has a good record for exports, we are running successful campaigns to sell more overseas, we are committed to helping British irms take THE opportunities that ARE available both now and after Brexit.”
Business leaders led criticism of the comments from Dr Fox, whose department is esponsible for securing trade deals after Britain leaves the European Union.
Allie Renison, Head of EU and Trade Policy at the Institute of Directors, said: “Any suggestion that UK businesses are somehow unwilling to export is simply not borne out by the facts. We know that 61% of IOD members, predominantly leading SMES, export goods and services internationally.
“At the same time, it is clear from recent surveys that while exports have been relatively stable, there has been more of an upsurge over the past 12 months than there has been a slowdown.”