3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's strategy to strengthen links between Wales and the USA? OAQ(5)0248(FM)

The current political landscape around the world means relations with the US are more important than ever—economically, politically and culturally. We do maintain a strong presence in the US, including opening our latest office in Atlanta, and I visited the USA in September and plan to visit again next year.

Thank you, First Minister. Wales has many historic links with the USA, and a number of the signatories on the declaration of independence were Welsh. And I’m sure you’ll agree that there is much to be made of these historic links to promote trade and tourism, the former all the more important in the light of Brexit. Indeed, today is a potentially historic day in the USA, as citizens go to the polls in an election that I will have played just a tiny part in, in Philadelphia, in which we could see, for the first time, a woman make it to the White House as President. Who wins the White House has an impact beyond the boundaries of the USA. With that in mind, I’m sure many here will join me in hoping America chooses Hillary Clinton over the alternative and to see hope trump hate. Does the First Minister believe that, in 2016, it’s time that we saw a woman President of the USA?

These are matters for the US population, of course. But, I can see the strong point that she makes. For me, what is hugely important is that the relationship with the USA continues, that the USA doesn’t become an isolationist, nationalist country, and that nothing happens after the election that imperils the commitment of the USA to NATO. I think these are all issues that concern us, and I can certainly well understand the strong feeling that, with a glass ceiling having been broken last time in 2008, another one needs to be broken this time.

First Minister, I’m sure you’d agree with me that Pembrokeshire produces a great deal of excellent produce that places Pembrokeshire and, indeed, Wales, on the map. It’s crucial that the Government should do everything within its ability to promote our produce in nations such as the United States. I understand that the Welsh Government is reviewing its export support for food and drink companies, but can you tell us what additional support the Welsh Government can provide to small producers who are looking to export their produce to nations such as the United States?

There is advice available through the team here in Cardiff, but also advice from the offices in America. There will be a group travelling to America later this month, on a trade mission, to see what kind of interest there is in Wales from investors, but also, of course, to seek new markets for Welsh producers.

The outgoing President suggested that the UK mind find ourselves at the back of the queue if we voted for Brexit. Given what has happened with the referendum result, the election of a new President today, but also the stalling of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership negotiations and the formidable challenges they face, is it actually possible that Wales within the United Kingdom may actually see us take the European Union’s place and go to the front of that queue?

I doubt it. His party has been very strongly against TTIP for reasons that are not European. Now, if TTIP is an agreement that will be presented for the UK, then his objections would still remain. I’ve heard objections from many who have called into question the ability of governments to provide public services with TTIP as it currently stands, so I assume that he will be as vehement in his objections to TTIP if it were to be a UK/US agreement as he would have been if it had been a EU/US agreement.