UK Strikes £3.7bn Trade Deal with Six Gulf States

The UK has struck a trade deal with a group of six Gulf states which it says will be worth £3.7bn to the economy. The government said the deal with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) would remove an estimated £580m a year in tariffs from British exports to the region once fully implemented. It also said it would make it easier for British firms to expand and partner in the Gulf, which will support jobs. The deal was welcomed by Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, as a "boost to business confidence". Activist groups have criticised the lack of detail on human rights and labour protections in the deal. The Conservatives, who began the negotiations for the deal when in government, said it was "another major Brexit opportunity" which Labour risked "throwing away" because of what it saw as Labour's pro-EU stance. The trade deal between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) is the third struck by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government, after those with India and South Korea. It is also the first deal between a G7 country and the GCC. The government has also reached trade agreements with the US and EU. Working people "will feel the benefits in the years ahead through higher wages and more opportunities". Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: "At a time of increased instability, today's announcement sends a clear signal of confidence – giving UK exporters the certainty they need to plan ahead." Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the deal was "proof we are backing British firms to compete and win globally". "This is good for growth, good for jobs, good for investment and excellent news for the UK economy."