UK strikes 3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states

A trade deal has been agreed with six Gulf states, ending four years of negotiations involving four prime ministers. The deal is expected to create £3.7bn in opportunities for exporters, doubling earlier estimates, with growth projected in food and luxury cars as well as defence, aerospace, hospitality, and other services. The agreement removes tariffs on 93% of British goods sold to the Gulf Cooperation Council trading bloc. Supporters say it will boost business for many UK firms across financial services, energy, construction, professional services, education, hospitality, and technology. Critics argue the deal lacks a human rights chapter despite reported abuses including torture, forced labour, discrimination, and suppression of dissent.

"Keir Starmer has struck a trade deal with six Gulf states in what he described as a huge win for British business, ending four years of talks led by four different prime ministers. The deal will offer 3.7bn worth of opportunities for exporters double the original estimates particularly in the food and luxury car sectors but also defence, aerospace, hospitality and other services, the government said."

"But Starmer faced immediate criticism the deal did not include a chapter on human rights despite complaints of a values free deal a year ago. Tom Wills, the director of the Trade Justice Movement, said the omission was especially alarming given the severe human rights abuses across the Gulf region, including torture, forced labour, discrimination and the silencing of dissent."

"It is understood the government did not seek a human rights chapter as it views political channels as the best place to raise these issues. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) of England and Wales said it was the best agricultural deal since the UK left the EU, after it was able to see off demands to lower poultry standards."

"The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it would create new business for firms in financial services, energy, construction, professional services, education, hospitality and technology. William Bain, the head of trade policy at the BCC, said the deal offered great potential to expand trade in the region and would be vital for tens of thousands of UK firms. It is the third trade deal concluded by Starmer following pacts with India and South Korea."

Read at www.theguardian.com