# Closer EU trade ties a greater prize for UK than separate deals, minister says

https://mins.news/en/item/99804

- The Guardian, 2026-10-14 13:31 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/14/closer-eu-trade-ties-uk-europe-douglas-alexander

> Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander says closer trading arrangements with the EU would bring the UK greater economic benefits than retaining the ability to negotiate its own free-trade agreements. Speaking during a trade delegation to India, he said Britain is already paying an economic price for new barriers with Europe.