WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today reintroduced the Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism (UNITED) Act. Their legislation would authorize the Trump Administration to reach a trade agreement with the United Kingdom that will open export opportunities for businesses of all sizes, strengthen critical supply chains and advance economic prosperity for people in both nations. The UNITED Act also requires the administration to work closely with Congress throughout the process to make certain that any agreement advances congressional trade policy priorities. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.).

 

The bill’s reintroduction comes as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Washington today to meet with President Trump at the White House.

 

“Strengthening our economic relationship with the United Kingdom will bolster our strategic interests and create opportunities for American producers and businesses,” said Sen. Moran. “The U.K. is one of our oldest and closest allies, and creating a new free trade agreement would reduce consumer costs, increase production, and open new markets for a variety of industries, including Kansas agriculture, biofuels, and aerospace products.”

“We should be building on the strong trade relationships and close partnership that we share with the United Kingdom. A comprehensive free trade agreement with the United Kingdom would advance both countries’ strategic and economic interests while creating new economic opportunities for Delaware workers, businesses, and consumers,” said Sen. Coons. “This bill demonstrates the strong bipartisan support in Congress for restarting negotiations with the U.K. on a trade deal that sets ambitious international standards for our shared priorities on climate, labor protections, digital trade, intellectual property rights, and many other areas.”

 

"There’s no better way to strengthen ties with a historic partner like the United Kingdom than coming together to develop a comprehensive trade agreement," said Rep. Smith. “In 2022, I had the opportunity to lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to the UK where I saw firsthand the value such an agreement holds for both our countries. In his first term, President Trump initiated trade talks with the UK and more broadly demonstrated his ability to negotiate deals of mutual benefit. Congress should do everything possible to keep pace and empower his vigorous engagement. The UNITED Act is a bipartisan effort to move into the future of rules-based trade relations by promoting expanded access to international markets eager for our products and safeguarding American innovation. I thank Representative Himes and Senators Moran and Coons for their cooperation on this legislation."

 

“Strong trade partners are critical to a prosperous economy—creating jobs, increasing opportunities for businesses, and bringing down costs for consumers,” said Rep. Himes. “The UNITED Act builds on our existing special relationship with the United Kingdom and paves the way for a new, comprehensive free trade agreement.”

 

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2020, set high standards for fair and competitive trade. The UNITED Act encourages the executive branch to build on those standards in negotiations with the U.K. in order to make certain U.S. workers and companies can compete on a level playing field.

 

The text of the bill is available here.

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