International Trade Secretary Liz Truss set out how vital industries will benefit from free trade after Brexit during a tour of Stoke-on-Trent.
Ms Truss met with key figures - including the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) - to discuss how the º£½ÇÊÓƵ ceramics industry can reap the rewards of an independent trade policy.
She also visited Middleport-based Steelite International during her visit to the city last week.
She talked about how new trade agreements will benefit Stoke-on-Trent and what measures the Government is taking to ensure local industry is protected from injury caused by unfair trading practices like dumping - where overseas firms sell goods to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ market below their fair market price.
Ms Truss said: "British businesses such as the fantastic ceramics companies I visited have everything to gain when we leave the EU.
"They will be able to realise the brilliant opportunities that will come from securing new free trade agreements with countries around the world.
"And this Government will ensure that º£½ÇÊÓƵ industries will continue to compete on a level playing field.Â
"People across the country in towns and cities like Stoke-on-Trent have put their faith in this Government to deliver Brexit and improve both the local economy and the level of opportunity available to them.
"An independent trade policy that protects traditional northern industries like ceramics will help us repay that faith."
During her visit to Stoke-on-Trent, Ms Truss had a private meeting with the BCC.
BCC chief executive Dr Laura Cohen said: " We and our members want to help Government achieve their ambitious timescale for an º£½ÇÊÓƵ-EU trade agreement by the end of the year, as 57 per cent of our members’ exports are sent to the EU.
"We appreciate the opportunity to raise this and other important issues on trade with the Secretary of State."
Ms Truss also visited a variety of businesses in other industries such as toffee-makers Walker's Nonsuch, packaging firm Woolcool and materials technology company Lucideon.
