UK Trade Policy Review
International trade has an important contribution to make to living standards in UK. The current government has recognised this and is developing a trade strategy to set out how trade can contribute to its “growth mission”. At the same time, trade policy connects with other concerns, such as climate change and sustainability, economic security, and regional development. Trade policy is also at heart of geopolitical tensions that have escalated over the last few years.
In conjunction with Frontier Economics and the UK Trade Policy Observatory, the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy is conducting an independent UK Trade Policy Review. This Review is intended to complement the World Trade Organizations’ (WTO) review which is due in 2025.
The Review will provide an impartial assessment of UK trade policy, based on rigorous analysis of evidence and input from policymakers, stakeholders, civil society, UK citizens and experts.
The Review will identify the UK’s approach to trade policy including the policy tools used, key priorities, policy decision-making processes, who is involved in the decision making and who benefits and who loses. It will look at sectoral case studies and provide recommendations on how to improve trade policy formulation and outcomes for productivity, growth and the economy as well as how to address pervasive policy issues, identify priorities and manage trade-offs.
Aims
This UK Trade Policy Review will focus on trade policy effectiveness and coherence with broader policy objectives and concerns.
While the WTO report focuses largely on a detailed analysis of specific trade measures and sectoral issues, our Review will address issues thematically. It will address the way trade policy interacts with key issues, such as sustainability, economic security, regional development, industrial policy in a digital age, and inclusiveness.
The Review will comprise a holistic evaluation of the UK’s trade policies, addressing a major gap in the UK trade policy formulation process.
Latest News
Have your say: Public consultation on the future of UK Trade Policy
Terms of Reference
This consultation seeks views on the aspects of trade policy that are important to your area of work/business/industry/sector and what you think trade policy should do for you.
This consultation aims to understand the public, private and third-sector’s needs and priorities from trade policy. We will analyse the evidence to identify how these may align or vary across different sectors and identify key trade policy priorities for UK businesses, and/or businesses that trade with the UK.
We encourage anyone – individual, group or organisation/business - with expertise, experience of/or interest in the matters under consideration in this inquiry to submit written evidence. If you wish to contribute to this inquiry, please respond to the questions below. There is no obligation to answer every question.
Questions
- What should be the main priorities for UK trade policy, and what trade policy tools/levers do you think should be used to address those priorities?
- What are the current areas of UK trade policy (eg. regulations, customs administration, domestic legislation, trade agreements, trade remedies, scrutiny of trade policy) which have the most significant impact, either positively or negatively, on your business, or area of focus/interest?
- What changes and/or improvements in UK trade policy would you recommend to the UK Government and why?
Writing your evidence
Your submission should address the questions asked and:
- State who you are submitting evidence for, as an individual, group of individuals, organisation of group of organisations
- Provide a name and contact email address
- Be concise – please do not submit more than 2,000 words
- Include an introduction to you and/or your organisation
- In the interests of transparency, we plan to publish the evidence we receive. Please indicate if you wish your evidence to be a) anonymised b) not published
Please send in your written submission to info@citp.ac.uk by Friday 7th February 2025.
Key Dates
Post-election roundtables
September to December 2024
Citizens Jury (Public Engagement)
November 2024
Consultation on ‘the future of UK Trade Policy’
January 2025
Citizens Jury Results
February 2025
Industry roundtable events
February 2025
Final Report published and launch events
September 2025
The Team
UK Trade Policy Review Partnership
CITP in conjunction with Frontier Economics and the UK Trade Policy Observatory.