London, May 21 (SANA) Britain said on Wednesday it had secured a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) worth an estimated $5 billion annually in the long term, deepening economic ties with Gulf allies amid regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The British government said the agreement would add £3.7 billion to the UK economy and remove around £580 million annually in tariffs on British exports, including cheddar cheese, butter and chocolate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the agreement as a “huge win” for British workers and businesses, while Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said it would provide exporters with greater certainty during a period of global instability.
The deal is the third trade agreement concluded under Starmer’s government after agreements with India and South Korea, and the first between the GCC and a G7 country.
The Trade Justice Movement criticized the agreement, raising concerns over human rights, labor protections and climate issues linked to Gulf oil-producing states.
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