NationStates Jolt Archive

Ministry of Trade and Industry
Imperium, New Britain, UK

Interesting, Allan, an interesting development. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry smiled smugly, though his disarmingly warm brown eyes defused any sense of hostility in the brightly lit media centre. For several weeks Parliament had been loosening the grip it held on the export of defence technology and equipment to foreign nations, specifically at the increasing requests from various companies within the defence sector. Recently, the fledging export divisions of the companies had begun to see limited success – and so when questioned by the KBC about the developments surrounding the loosening grip Beckett decided to call them ‘interesting.’

Beckett waved his hand as the assembled reporters shouted out more questions, please, he added pleasantly, allow me to finish answering Allan’s question. Beckett calmly waited until the anxious children settled into their seats for story time – he smiled all the while. The decision by His Majesty’s Government to relax the Defence Export Regulatory Act, or DERA, comes as a larger review by this government of our bilateral and multilateral trade ties and more specifically means of reducing unnecessary government regulation and oversight. This is not to say, of course, that the United Kingdom will become a reckless exporter of arms to foreign nations but that Oceanian defence companies have a part to play in the international market. As a people we hold free trade as central to our national character; however, we support policies of paranoid protectionism when it comes to the defence sector – policies necessary to generate a domestic industry capable of providing top-notch, first tier products and technologies to defend the United Kingdom and increasingly her allies. And while His Majesty’s Government will never sacrifice or place in jeopardy such a critical aspect of our national economic and defence security, the United Kingdom must begin to allow its companies to compete in the global market as part of a broader strategy to increase the UK’s integration into the global market.

With a slight pause, the Secretary adjusted the distribution of weight onto his slender runner’s legs before taking a sip of water and continuing with his press conference. As part of this integration the United Kingdom is prepared to announce that it is in high-level talks with foreign governments to create an international common, integrated market of liberal democracies supporting the free-market. He watched and hid the smile he wanted to emerge as flashbulbs exploded, the bombshell promised had been delivered – though it was not what the press had expected at a conference about the defence sector. Currently, I can say little about the complex negotiations other than that to say the intended result will be a comprehensive treaty that will establish a common market committed to providing economic security for democratic governments across the world.

"Ken Felderman, Slipstream News Service!" said a man as he rose from his seat, his words spoken nearly all at once in a rapidfire fashion.

"Can you tell us how long negotiations have been ongoing, and who the nations currently involved in talks are?"

Beckett allowed himself a sly smile as he nodded at the journalist from Slipstream. Well, Ken, I believe it would be most appropriate to say that at this time much of the negotiations are being held behind closed doors for want of drafting a treaty out of the limelight of local domestic political pressures. For the time being, however, I have been authorised by the involved parties to acknowledge the involvement of the Federated Union. Additionally, the basis for this new common market arises from the bi- and multilateral contacts established between various nations through the Free Commerce and Trade Association of Democratic Nations; an internationally renowned organisation that has, for example, increased the trade and contacts between nations such as the United Kingdom and Federated Union.

ooc: and, as the current format suggests - I hope - this is a press conference so if your nation's respective news broadcast companies would have questions, please feel free to ask them. Though as in most government press conferences the amount of forthcoming information may not always be to the liking of the assembled press... but hey, that's half the fun/ooc

"Kara Nicoletti, Steria News," a woman announced as she rose, cutting off a man from Reuters just as he opened his mouth.

"Exactly what sort of limitations will be applied as this new organization screens potential members? Will democratic nations of a more conservative background be permitted to enter, or only liberal nations, as you implied earlier? How rigid will these limitations be?"

Jens Waterston, the HBC's new Imperium Bureau chief, waited for the Trade Secretary to finish replying to Nicoletti's question before he stood up. The Secretary pointed to him and Jens spoke in the slightly nasal voice of a Danish Hamptonian, "Mister Secretary, can you at this point either confirm or deny rumors that Chancellor Hayek has voiced interest in Hamptonian involvement in this proposed organization?

Second question, will Lord Salisbury respond to the Chancellor's overtures and invite him to Imperium?"

As Nicoletti asked her question, Beckett felt his head tilt askant. Ah, well, this new organisation shall of course be open to nations whose politics tend towards the conservative spectrum; for what I intended with the reference to liberal democracies were systems of government that enshrine the rights of the individual, most importantly when it comes to areas such as freedom of speech and religion, limitations on the powers of government over the individual and perhaps most important to this organisation, a commitment to the principles of the free market.

He paused for a moment, looking at nobody in particular thusly careful not to signal the end of his answer, but needing a moment to frame the remainder of his response. Again, as to the specifics of the text, I am not at liberty to divulge much more than the basic goal – that of a common market and customs union to promote economic growth and security for liberal democracies.

With the answer finished he took another sip from his water before the HBC journalist stood. Beckett waited and then pointed at the man and listened intently to the man’s inquiry. Well, to your second question, the peoples of the United Kingdom and of the Grand Archduchy enjoy a vibrant, healthy, and remarkably strong friendship despite its relative youth. Lord Salisbury will likely be talking to Chancellor Hayek in the coming days, though I beg you not to hold me to that, Beckett added casually, I am far removed from being privy to His Lordship’s planner.

As to your first question, Beckett continued, returning to a more serious tone, I am similarly far from privy to the discussions ongoing at the Foreign Office. For the moment, I am not in any position to speak definitively on any reported involvement and/or interest by Chancellor Hayek in this new organisation. You would likely be best served by sending an inquiry to the Foreign Secretary.

"Mister Secretary," the very persistent Waterston said loud enough to carry over all the other journalists, "you earlier said that your government, and I quote, 'is in high-level talks with foreign governments to create an international common, integrated market'. You have previously acknowledged the participation of the Federated Union but you are not releasing information on other possible parties. Why is that? Are other participating nations concerned about the fallout of being associated with this organization or is your government responsible for withholding their names?"

Jens paused for a half-second. He was unsure if he wanted to ask the question floating around in his mind. He decided to ask it, "And, with all possible due respect, if this organization is so important to the United Kingdom why is the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry introducing it to the world. Why isn't the Foreign Secretary revealing this organization to the press?"

Beckett’s head had turned to a reporter from the AP when the loud voice of Waterston interrupted him just as he opened his mouth. He looked into the bright lights and found the standing Hamptonian journalist as he put forth the question about the Foreign Secretary. Taking a moment, he let silence take hold over the media centre before replying. The Federated Union heads the Free Commerce and Trade Association, which is the basis of this new organisation. As such, His Majesty’s Government felt it rather obvious that any successor to the FCTA would, by default, include the Federated Union and as such any attempt to obfuscate the significant role to be played by the Federated Union as misguided and ultimately of little value.

As to the concerns of foreign nations about potential ramifications – you would best be advised to ask the respective governments of said parties. Beckett smiled, fully aware that he and Waterston both knew Beckett had not and would likely not release the names of those parties. As for the Foreign Secretary, currently she is taking some much needed vacation time after an inordinately strenuous and physically taxing past several weeks given the resolved crisis in New Albion and her numerous trips abroad. Consequently, Lord Salisbury decided that the Ministry of Trade and Industry would be the most appropriate Ministry to deal with the announcement in an attempt to emphasise the economic benefits and advantages of the organisation.

"Adnan Bakhtiar, Channel News Asia." spoke loudly and politely a Malaysian-descented report dressed in a generic businessman's suit, waiting to speak just after Beckett had answered the Slipstream reporter from Democratic Colonies.

"Is His Oceanian Majesty's Government willing to cooperate and import from foreign private military contractors, like for example, the recently privatized Imperial Praetonian Shipyards?"

Beckett coughed quietly before Bakhtiar spoke up, the delegate from Channel News Asia had gained his attention but as the words came from his lips the Trade and Industry Secretary could scarcely refrain from smiling at the quixotic journalist. Well Adnan, as I stated earlier in the press conference, His Majesty’s Government is reviewing the Defence Export Regulatory Act, not the Defence Procurement Act; an act of Parliament that prohibits His Majesty’s Government from purchasing military hardware from foreign companies.

Dammit. thought the reporter as he checked his list of questions again, displaying no sign of emotion facially as he read it. Misread it.

He then looked up. What the question actually was: "Would exceptions be made for foreign private military contractors?"

"I apologize for my error in wording, Mr. Beckett: the question was, especially in regards to the recent Vickers Shipbuilding and Nautical Engineering, plc has made a partnership with WorldTech Industries of the Grand Archduchy of the United Realms of the Hamptonian Empire - will there be exceptions made to dealings with foreign private defense contractors, especially besides the United Kingdom's closest allies?"

Bakhtiar then quickly looked down, and spoke again. "And second of all, with regards to His Majesty's Government's latest colony on Terra Recedentia - the Southeast Asian Federal-Parliamentarian Government, especially in regards to the Neo Administration, have come under a stream of criticism due to the so-called 'Operation: Lunar Landing' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=493991), by the military of the Union, which involves Southeast Asian naval warships escorting a civilian convoy to Terra Recedentia and establishing a space research facility over there - would the UK be willing to cooperate with the Union of Southeast Asian Nations in it's quest for the stars?"

"And finally - is the UK open to trade relations with her geographical neighbor of Southeast Asia, which many Parliamentarians on both political sides, moreso for the Conservative Parliamentarian-Republican Party, say should have been opened a long time ago?"

Bakhtiar had sped up his dialogue a little swifter, so that he wouldn't drag on too long.

Closing his eyes, Beckett shook his head and looked over at the Channel News Asia reporter, again, Adnan, as I thought I already made abundantly clear, the Defence Export Regulatory Act is being loosened, not the Defence Procurement Act. As it stands, the United Kingdom may not purchase weapons systems from foreign-owned and/or operated companies. Beckett concluded the first part of his response with an exasperated sigh.

As to closer cooperation between the Southeast Asian and Oceanian space programmes – I am simply not the individual to ask, I am, after all, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. With regards to any potential sales or purchases of technology related to space programmes, again, I point you in the direction of the Defence Procurement Act. I also point you to the already existing orbital construction platforms, orbital space stations, and nascent Royal Star Navy and Royal Star Marines as proof that the United Kingdom already has a developed space programme.

Lastly, and finally within my purview, Southeast Asians are of course able to do business in the United Kingdom provided they follow all laws and acts of Parliament in the course of their business and transactions. As a free-market state, His Majesty’s Government attempts to refrain from interfering in trade as much as possible and the level of Oceanian investment in Southeast Asia will be directly proportional to the amount of risk versus profit Oceanian investors see in the Southeast Asian market.