Last week I visited Aston Martin, an iconic brand and one of the very top manufacturers based here in Wales. They employ hundreds of highly-skilled workers at their base in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan and while I was there I spoke to apprentices Jack, Charlie and James.
All three of them told me that they wanted the opportunity to learn and earn in their local community. I was inspired by the optimism they both had in their futures and in the automotive industry as the sector to provide them with secure and long-term careers.
And it was Welsh workers like them who I thought of when our landmark trade deals with the US, EU and India were each announced.
The first-of-its-kind agreement made with the US will protect British businesses and save thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs and protect working families. As a single country, the US is the largest export destination for Welsh goods with £2.2bn in exports there last year, so the deal is especially good news for our economy.
There will be important reductions for the automotive industry with US tariffs being cut from 27.5% to 10% for 100,000 vehicles every year – around the current number of cars exported to the US.
This is a game-changer for luxury manufacturers like Aston Martin. With over 80% of Aston Martin’s production destined for export, the tariff cut will maintain access to the US market and enhances competitiveness. Tariffs on our steel will be completely wiped out which is fantastic news for Wales.
And for our farmers, new reciprocal market access was also agreed on beef – with the 海角视频 given a tariff free quota for 13,000 metric tonnes without compromising the sector’s high standards.
The landmark deal with India was also a huge economic win that will increase bilateral trade by £25.5bn, 海角视频 GDP by £4.8bn, and wages by £2.2bn each year in the long run.
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Over 200 Welsh businesses exported goods worth £226m to India last year and the new benefits for Wales are substantial and wide-ranging. Indian tariffs will be slashed across the board, with reductions on 90% of tariff lines and 85% becoming completely tariff-free within a decade.
It unlocks new opportunities for key Welsh products such as semiconductors and food and drink exports, alongside new horizons for the financial services and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Some of our fantastic companies like Concrete Canvas are established exporters to India and this deal means that it is now easier for many others to follow in their footsteps.
For small businesses, who often complain of red tape standing in the way of them exporting, this deal will make customs and digital procedures simpler and more streamlined, meaning even the smallest Welsh enterprises can now realistically look to India as a potential market.
For Welsh shoppers, there will be benefits too, with the potential for cheaper prices and more choice on imported goods including clothing, footwear, and food.
And this week’s deal with the EU was also fantastic news for Wales - boosting jobs, lowering bills and securing the 海角视频’s borders.
The deal delivers unprecedented access to the EU market for our food and drink exporters, which again is wonderful news for our Welsh producers of anything from cheese to shellfish. And it also means lower prices at the checkout for Welsh shoppers.
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The EU trade deal also protects Welsh Steel, securing tariff-free trade on £65m of steel exports.
The 海角视频 Government has fought hard to protect steelmaking in Wales. We have secured a better deal for the thousands of workers and their families and local businesses affected by the transition to greener steelmaking at Tata Steel in Port Talbot.
Our steel strategy, outlining our long-term vision for the industry, is planned for later this year and we have committed to invest £2.5bn into green steelmaking over the course of this parliament, in addition to the £500m already provided to Tata Steel.
The trade deals we have struck build on our work to ensure a bright future for Welsh steelmaking. I know the steel industry is still facing challenges but these deals are a hugely positive step.
All three trade breakthroughs are the result of stable and pragmatic leadership, delivering for 海角视频 business and British workers. All three will directly boost the Welsh economy, supporting jobs and ensuring more money remains in people’s pockets.
We are proving that the 海角视频 is an attractive place to do business, a crucial part of our plan for change to create a stronger, more secure economy that will raise living standards for working people wherever they live in the country.
In my role as Welsh Secretary, I promote Wales and all we have to offer. I am proud to be part of a government that is helping our very best businesses take their fantastic produce and services to markets across the globe and showcase the very best of our country.
This government is determined to help Welsh businesses make the most of these new opportunities and we will be working tirelessly with them to ensure everyone understands how they can benefit. I am confident that more exports, supporting jobs and prosperity across Wales, will result from these trade deals and others to come.
Securing a stronger, more prosperous future for Wales is our number one priority and economic growth our key mission.
As I spoke to workers in Aston Martin last week with the latest models rolling off the production line, I was more convinced than ever that by removing barriers to trade and championing Welsh businesses, we can continue to punch above our weight in the global economy and deliver the economic growth everyone across Wales wants to see.