Emma McClarkin MEP stresses importance of global Trade at two events

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin attended a Trade event in the region yesterday, to hear about potential changes and benefits to the UK’s food and drink sector, which could result from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently being negotiated.

Co-hosted by BritishAmerican Business and the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, the event offered expert insight from a diverse panel, which included local businesses, international companies, and representatives from trade associations and government. It was held at Samworth Brothers in Leicester, which is a food manufacturing business and the largest maker of Melton Mowbray pork pies.

The regional event followed a ‘Trade Policy Day’ in the European Parliament on Tuesday, which Miss McClarkin also attended, and which brought together representatives from a broad range of sectors to put forward their views and ideas on European trade policy.

The Trade Policy Day was part of a consultation process which will result in the European Commission publishing a five-year trade strategy later this year.

Miss McClarkin is the Conservative representative on the International Trade Committee in the European Parliament, and is a strong supporter of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the benefits it could bring to companies in the East Midlands and across the UK.

Speaking after yesterday’s trade event, Miss McClarkin said:

“Free trade is a vital tool in empowering people and creating jobs and healthy competition in the marketplace. It’s therefore vital that local businesses understand the benefits and opportunities that could emerge from an EU-USA trade deal, so that they can grow their businesses and provide a better future and greater job security for their staff.

“With this in mind I am pushing for a comprehensive chapter for SMEs within the deal, which should contain information tools for small businesses giving them knowledge of how to access the American market. From what I have heard so far I believe this is being taken on board. This is exciting news for SMEs.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about this deal, so it was good to hear unbiased information from a range of experts, and talk to local companies about what the benefits could be for them, as well as hearing the aspirations and hopes of SMEs.

“The European trade day was also an important tool in influencing the EU’s strategy on trade for the next five years. We need greater openness in markets, more globalised trade, and more opportunities for UK businesses if we are to help our companies grow and keep creating jobs for people across the region.”