Category: Trade

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Made in UK Project

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Made in UK Project

    The comments made by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 15 November 2021.

    The UK makes some of the best products in the world, but only 1 in 10 businesses currently export them around the world. I want this International Trade Week to be a catalyst for businesses to sell to new markets and take advantage of the trade deals we are negotiating.

    My department has a clear message to any business thinking about exporting for the first time. There has never been a better time to export.

    Our industry experts in Trade and Investment Hubs around the UK and based around the world will stand shoulder to shoulder and give you the support you need to take the next step on your exporting journey and sell to the world.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Statement on US Position on Steel and Aluminium

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Statement on US Position on Steel and Aluminium

    The statement issued by the Department for International Trade on 31 October 2021.

    We welcome the Biden Administration’s willingness to work with us to address trade issues relating to steel and aluminium, and it is encouraging that the US is taking steps to de-escalate this issue.

    The International Trade Secretary recently held positive discussions with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in London. The UK is committed to addressing both global steel overcapacity and decarbonisation, and we remain focused on agreeing a resolution that sees damaging tariffs removed to the benefit of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Statement on Trade Remedies Authority: Call-in Powers

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Statement on Trade Remedies Authority: Call-in Powers

    The statement made by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Secretary of State for International Trade, in the House of Commons on 25 October 2021.

    The Government are today announcing that they intend to make new powers to enable the Secretary of State for International Trade to call in certain investigations conducted by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).

    These powers will ensure that the Secretary of State for International Trade has oversight for, and may direct, transition review investigations where she considers it is needed. The call-in power only applies to transition reviews and reconsiderations of transition reviews, and does not apply to new investigations. Where the call-in power is exercised, the Secretary of State for International Trade will set out her reasons for doing so in a statement to the House of Commons.

    One of the advantages of being an independent trading nation is that we can adapt our domestic rules to UK economic circumstances.

    The Government will always do everything in their power to defend UK industry and jobs and to allow our world-leading companies to compete on an equal footing.

    The UK has always been a strong supporter of free trade. But free trade does not mean trade without rules. Rather than restricting free trade, trade remedies can help ensure that free trade is also fair trade. All major trading nations have a trade remedies system in place and many of these allow for greater ministerial involvement in decision making than the UK currently allows.

    As announced on 30 June 2021, the Government will continue to consider whether wider changes might need to be made to the trade remedies framework to ensure it can consistently defend UK industry. DIT will continue to work collaboratively with the TRA on this process and in the application of the call-in power where the Secretary of State decides it is needed.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Trade Agreement Between Transport for London and BAI

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Trade Agreement Between Transport for London and BAI

    The comments made by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 14 October 2021.

    The UK remains one of the most attractive destinations for investment globally and this partnership proves that investors are backing Britain. The upcoming Global Investment Summit will create more opportunities for industries of the future like digital and tech which support high-value jobs across every part of the UK.

    As we strike ambitious trade deals across the globe, including with our good friends Australia we are opening up even more opportunities for investors, exporters and businesses to grow, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on New Relationship with Italy

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on New Relationship with Italy

    The comments made by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 13 October 2021.

    Enhancing our bilateral relationship with Italy is a win-win, which will boost export opportunities and investment promotion for our businesses.

    Italy is our ninth-largest trading partner, while the UK is Italy’s fifth-largest export market – I am delighted we are kicking off this discussion.

    The UK and Italy are also working side-by-side to deliver a successful COP26 Summit. The next 18 months are critical for our planet and together we will lead by example to accelerate progress towards a green, resilient and inclusive recovery.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on US/Mexico/Canada Agreement U-Turn

    Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on US/Mexico/Canada Agreement U-Turn

    The comments made by Emily Thornberry, the Shadow International Trade Secretary, on 22 September 2021.

    Within the space of 24 hours, Boris Johnson has taken us from first in line to the back of the queue for a US trade deal, briefed reporters in Washington that we were seeking to join the USMCA instead, and now decided to ditch that idea as well, presumably after someone bothered to read the agreement and realised what it would mean for food standards and the NHS.

    It is an utterly farcical way for the Prime Minister to carry on when representing our country abroad, and a shambolic approach to running the UK’s trade policy.

    It all leaves the Government not a single step closer to its manifesto commitment to cover 80 per cent of UK trade with free trade deals by the end of next year, and not the slightest clue how it is going to get there.

  • Lord Frost – 2021 Statement on Controls on Incoming Goods from EU

    Lord Frost – 2021 Statement on Controls on Incoming Goods from EU

    The statement made by Lord Frost in the House of Lords on 14 September 2021.

    On 31 December 2020, the UK left the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. The Government put in place the staffing, infrastructure, and IT to ensure a smooth transition. Thanks to the hard work of traders and hauliers, we did not see disruption at our ports; and, despite dips in trade value with the EU in the early months, the monthly value of exports to the EU has recovered strongly.

    Now the UK is an independent trading country, our intention is to introduce the same controls on incoming goods from the EU as on goods from the rest of the world.

    The Government initially announced a timetable for the introduction of the final stages of those controls on 11 March. The Government’s own preparations, in terms of systems, infrastructure and resourcing, remain on track to meet that timetable.

    However, the pandemic has had longer-lasting impacts on businesses, both in the UK and in the European Union, than many observers expected in March. There are also pressures on global supply chains, caused by a wide range of factors including the pandemic and the increased costs of global freight transport. These pressures are being especially felt in the agri-food sector.

    In these circumstances, the Government have decided to delay further some elements of the new controls, especially those relating to sanitary and phytosanitary goods. Accordingly:

    The requirement for pre-notification of agri-food imports will be introduced on 1 January 2022 as opposed to 1 October 2021.

    The new requirements for export health certificates, which were due to be introduced on 1 October 2021, will now be introduced on 1 July 2022.

    Phytosanitary certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at Border Control Posts, due to be introduced on 1 January 2022, will now be introduced on 1 July 2022.

    The requirement for safety and security declarations on imports will be introduced as of 1 July 2022 as opposed to 1 January 2022.

    The timetable for the removal of the current easements in relation to full customs controls and the introduction of customs checks remains unchanged from the planned 1 January 2022.

    The Government will work closely with the Devolved Administrations on the implementation of this new timetable, given their devolved responsibilities for agri-food controls.

    Full guidance to stakeholders will be provided on www.gov.uk shortly.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on International Trade

    Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on International Trade

    The comments made by Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, on 14 September 2021.

    Liz Truss may have tried to bury this survey in the dead of night, but she must not hide from the legitimate concerns being raised by the British people.

    First, there is still strong public support for trade deals, but the survey shows she risks putting that in jeopardy if she continues ignoring rising fears about the impact of her proposed deals on our farming communities, food standards and public services.

    And second, she needs to consider whether it is right for her to rush ahead with her plans to take our country into the Trans-Pacific Partnership when – according to her own survey – almost three-quarters of the British people still know nothing about it.

  • Liz Truss – 2021 Comments on Trade Envoys

    Liz Truss – 2021 Comments on Trade Envoys

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 25 August 2021.

    Our Trade Envoys play a key role in delivering our ambitious global trade agenda, and I am delighted the Prime Minister has appointed 10 Trade Envoys, who will boost opportunities for businesses in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.

    As we seek to boost exports, promote investment, and break down barriers to trade, our Trade Envoys will support us to share in the benefits that a closer trading relationship can offer to our businesses and our communities.

  • Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on Falling UK Exports

    Emily Thornberry – 2021 Comments on Falling UK Exports

    The comments made by Emily Thornberry, the Shadow International Trade Secretary, on 16 July 2021.

    In last year’s annual report, Liz Truss boasted about her achievements in this area, saying ‘I am proud of the £24.4 billion in Export Wins my department recorded in 2019-20.’

    In this year’s report, slipped out without a press release last night, she has nothing to say about the catastrophic collapse she has presided over in government-backed export deals.

    At a time when we urgently need to buy, make and sell more British goods to drive our recovery from the pandemic, Liz Truss has shown she is just not up to the task.