The UK's biggest manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, has signed a partnership agreement with its US counterpart in a bid by the groups to boost Transatlantic trade.At a ceremony in Washington, the agreement – lasting for an initial three years – was signed by Terry Scuoler, EEF chief executive, and Jay Timmons, president of the National Association for Manufacturers (NAM).

Promoting trade opportunities

EEF said the agreement focused on promoting and raising awareness of trade opportunities in both countries for engineering and manufacturing companies. “This will include sharing market intelligence, data and policy work, facilitating visits and economic delegations for promoting trade, investment and commercial exchanges and, opportunities for shared promotion at trade fairs, events and the two organisations’ respective major annual conferences,” said the organisation.It is likely that the new combined group will also play an important, advisory role if, as anticipated, the US and UK attempt to agree a free trade deal to come into force after Britain has left the European Union.The two groups plan to establish opportunities to meet both UK and US politicians, as well as senior manufacturing leaders from both countries. As part of the agreement, EEF will also place an associate member of staff in Washington who will co-ordinate and manage day-to-day engagement activities to include setting up a Policy Forum between EEF and NAM.

Widening trade links across the globe

Mr Scuoler, said, “The ties between the United Kingdom and the United States go back a long way and we have significant political, economic and trade connections. The US is a vital market for UK industry and is likely to assume even more importance in the wake of Brexit with the opportunity to widen our trade links across the globe.“I am delighted to sign this agreement with our US counterpart which will hopefully provide mutually beneficial opportunities for manufacturers in both countries.”Mr Timmons added, “This agreement offers a tremendous opportunity for the NAM to deepen our relationship with EEF. As the UK gears up for Brexit negotiations with the EU, and the United States and UK lay the groundwork for a potential bilateral free trade agreement, close ties between manufacturers in our two countries are important to ensure we can seize the many opportunities before us.”

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The UK is the United States’ seventh largest manufacturing goods trading partner, with US manufactured goods exports to the United Kingdom totalling approximately $48 billion in 2016, and US imports of manufactured goods from Britain amounting to about $46 billion.America and the UK also share a strong investment relationship with cross-border investment in manufacturing totalling more than $230 billion.For related news and features, visit our Brexit section.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory  Get access to our free Global Mobility Toolkit  

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