Mrs Claire Christian MHK has said that attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) trade workshop provided opportunities to ‘gain insight and understanding’ surrounding trade deals.

Mrs Christian (pictured at the event) was speaking after returning from the workshop held in Westminster from February 7 to 9.

Reflecting on the event she said: ‘The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has presented the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories with unique opportunities and challenges. For the first time in more than 40 years, the UK has been able to independently pursue trade agreements. This transition, however, has not been without problems or criticism, notably over limited parliamentary oversight and what many have seen as inadequate consultation with Crown Dependencies, Overseas Territories and Devolved Legislatures. The event was therefore about bringing together members and officials from parliaments to learn from each other and improve.’

Summarising the event, she said: ‘Delegates were given a forum to engage with ex-trade negotiators and specialists, committee experts and representatives of national and international organisations. All were able to share experiences of recent trade developments, along with their immediate and ongoing effects. Practical mechanisms were explored for parliamentary oversight of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, including the importance of stakeholder engagement, as well as avenues for efficient research and evidence gathering.  I observed a general consensus among delegates that there was plenty of executive involvement in trade deals but not legislative.  Politicians need to be involved at the early stages in shaping the initial offer of all trade deals.  Positive change can be achieved by closer working relationships with each other and with the UK Trade Scrutiny Committee who hold UK government to account.  Successful trade jurisdictions have also appointed parliamentarian trade envoys whose jobs is to engage with prospective markets where substantial trade and investment opportunities have been identified.  The Chief Minister’s visit to South Africa last year is an example of this.’

Also explored at the event by the Trade Union Congress were workers’ rights, fair labour standards, how trade deals can result in lower levels of protection and how lowering tariffs can risks jobs and undermines domestic industry.  Mrs Christian said: ‘It is imperative that workers’ rights and equality impact assessments should be part of scrutiny of trade deals.

‘While I am by no means an expert in the dark art of negotiating trade deals, I do now have a better understanding of where to start and whom to ask for advice.  Making independent academic contacts through the CPA will be advantageous to support challenge of the executive.

‘Attending the workshop also gave me insight to learning more about the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Electronic Trade Bill, (which will put electronic trading documents on the same legal footing as paper documents) and the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill) which would give ministers and devolved governments wide-ranging powers to preserve, restate or replace EU-derived legislation, which could repeal about 4000 pieces of law unless ministers take specific steps to preserve it.

‘I also plan to discuss with the Department of Infrastructure Minister the implications of the Energy Charter Treaty (1998) on the Isle of Man.  This treaty provides a multilateral framework to promote energy security under international law, particularly with regard to banning gas or oil exploration in our territories, which has proven very costly for other governments.’

Mrs Christian concluded: ‘Due to the prohibitive cost of transport, the Isle of Man should continue concentrating on financial services in terms of trade, supporting the digital infrastructure and optimising our Commonwealth digital connectivity.  Digital trade grew by 14 per cent in 2020, through digitally-delivered services online.  Finance, education, legal profession, design engineering, can all be delivered online.  Also, intra-Commonwealth trade is set to reach $1 trillion by 2026 and it’s important that smaller economies share in that growth.  Leveraging digital and intra-Commonwealth trade are ways we can achieve economic growth, build existing relations and help Isle of Man businesses to take advantage of opportunities arising from a global trade agenda. Essentially, what this would mean for the Island is good trade deals and creating more jobs while protecting local interests, something that the economic strategy is striving for.’

-ends-

For further information contact:
Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im