Trade - Score: +1

"We will ensure full and effective implementation of the Uruguay Round results according to the agreed timetables."

On February 1, 1997, British Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind called on all EU members to support the British goal for Global Free Trade by the year 2020. He believed that Singapore strengthened multilateral trade liberalisation and that implementation of the agreements reached there would allow for the launch of a new round of trade talks before the end of the century.

On February 14, 1997, the WTO agreed to liberalise the telecoms industry, a move which was strongly supported by the UK.

On March 6, 1997, Board of Trade Minister, Ian Lang, called for the Information Technology Agreement to liberalise the trade in IT products being negotiated within the WTO to be completed by the end of the month. The US and the EU have already agreed to a phasing-out of their respective tariffs on semi-conductors in three stages, the first of which begins on 1 July 1997.

The UK Government White Paper of November 11, 1997, called for free trade and the lessening of trade barriers. The goal is fully open markets by the year 2020. The paper was later supported in comments made by the foreign minister, Malcolm Rifkind, the Board of Trade Minister, Ian Lang, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kenneth Clarke.

On December 2, 1996, the President of the Board of Trade, Ian Lang, called for substantial work on trade liberalisation in the area of standards, trade facilitation, tariffs, government procurement, rules of origin and investment. Hopes for the completion of the IT Agreement and the talks on telecoms liberalisation.

On March 4, 1997, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kenneth Clarke claimed that there were five areas where the UK had taken the lead in adopting progressive policies. Included among the five are trade and open markets.

On June 16, 1997, a WTO deal was struck on trade facilitation and standards.