UK Trade Policy Observatory

What are the next steps for Europe-India trade? As talks of deeper Europe-India trade links pick up speed, @davidheniguk.bsky.social and Apoorva Vishnoi analyse what's next for this relationship: www.uktpo.org/2026/03/06/n...

Free Trade with MERCOSUR: An attractive opportunity for the UK? After a negotiation process characterised by long periods of stagnations and disagreements, on the 17th of January, a Partnership Agreement was signed between the European Union and the four founding ...

Have a look at my latest blog for @uktpo.org where I examine goods trade data to analyse to what extent the UK would benefit from attaining preferential access the MERCOSUR market, following the signing of a free trade deal between that bloc and the European Union.

Making trade work for development: Early signs suggest UK’s new trade scheme is working In the global debate about tariffs, one thing is clear: trade can be critical to making economies grow and societies more resilient. As part of its commitment to international development, the United...

The UK introduced the DCTS in 2023 to make it easier for developing countries to export to the UK. Yet, is it succeeding?
Research by the Trade and Development, Evidence and Innovation Programme (E&I), authored by UKTPO's Mattia Di Ubaldo, has found positive signs: www.uktpo.org/2026/02/27/m...

Considered opinion of a few EU folk I've spoken with is that the UK has to have something to offer if it wants to be heard with regard to Made in Europe. And right now it doesn't. And worse, UK engagement brings back bad Brexit memories.

EFRA has recently published a report aimed at ensuring that any future SPS framework is "economically beneficial, constitutionally accountable and operationally workable" - Carolina Maciel provides an in-depth analysis of this report in the latest UKTPO blog: www.uktpo.org/2026/02/20/a...

‘Made in Europe’ row brings back Brexit’s bitter memories British ministers are concerned that U.K. firms won’t be treated fairly under new European rules.

Once again - UK involvement in 'Made in Europe' is about a 5th order issue compared to the huge debate ongoing in the EU about whether to remain an open economy or not. French protectionism is meeting heavy resistance, and the UK does not play in this debate. www.politico.eu/article/made...

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the tariffs Trump imposed are illegal. So, what now? Will there be any refunds? What use will now be made of the alternative legislative options open to the US administration? Michael Gasiorek explains: citp.ac.uk/publications...

#InternationalTrade #TrumpTariffs

Is the India-EU FTA the 'mother of all deals'? What are its benefits? While the text of the agreement is not available yet, @achyuthanil.bsky.social and @sunayanasasmal.bsky.social analyse what can be gleaned from the documents released so far: www.uktpo.org/2026/02/18/w...

#InternationalTrade

What hopes for the UK-EU Reset? – Lunchtime webinar with expert panel on Thursday 5 March.

We’re delighted to join with @uktpo.org at the University of Sussex to present a webinar on the state of the Reset. Details and link to join free ⬇️

universityofsussex.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

UK trade deficit for goods hits record high in 2025 Official figures show Britain also recorded historic services surplus

Michael Gasiorek speaks to the @financialtimes.com and urges Britain to “think strategically” about the US as an export market, since leaving the EU “has had a negative impact on our competitiveness and on our exports across a range of sectors”. ➡️ Article in full here: www.ft.com/content/870d...

What does the US Supreme Court case mean for the future of tariffs, and executive power? YouTube video by UKTPO

Last week's online seminar with Prof. Jennifer Hillman on the US Supreme Court IEEPA case is now available to watch online: an in-depth look into tariffs, the case's implications, and the ripple effects on the future of international trade and the executive power.

📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjq...

Sahana Suraj @uktpo.org discusses the method and approach that shaped the "UK Trade Policy: An Independent Review" and the results.

The methodology can be used to enrich standard @wto.org trade policy reviews or review other policy issues 👉 citp.ac.uk/publications...

Today's seminar by Jennifer Hillman on the US Supreme Court IEEPA case provided an insightful in-depth look into the case's implications, possible outcomes and the ripple effects on tariff policy and the future of executive power.
📽️ The seminar will be available online very soon.

New research finds the UK-India trade agreement will lift the uncertainty that currently affects Indian exports to the UK, increasing Indian goods exports to the UK by 9% on average solely because of policy predictability 👉 citp.ac.uk/publications...

@ntamberi.bsky.social, @uktpo.org

🚨With the upcoming US Supreme Court ruling on reciprocal tariffs, what does it mean for the future of tariffs + executive power? To discuss this, we are hosting a hybrid seminar by Prof Jennifer Hillman (Georgetown University)
🌐 Register to attend online: universityofsussex.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

How to deliver a UK-EU “re-set” that works Debates about deepening UK-EU relations, including in the current ‘re-set’ negotiations,  often focus on what will the UK gain versus what it must concede.  Yet, what constitutes a win or a loss for t...

As the government plans a bill that will hand ministers significant powers to forge closer ties with Brussels, is Labour missing the chance to provide more democratic legitimacy in our EU relationship? Our recent blog argues it is: www.uktpo.org/2025/11/26/h...

#TradePolicy #EUreset #Brexit

If you work in policy, business, advocacy, law, economics, or are simply curious about trade, this online Diploma in International Trade Policy may interest you.
🗓️ Next module starts Jan 2026.

#InternationalTrade #TradePolicy

Earlier this month, we hosted the 8th UK Trade Policy Observatory Conference in London! 🌍

Key themes: #Sustainability, #DigitalTrade and EU–UK trade relations.

Thanks to keynote speaker Dr Swati Dhingra & all researchers for sharing insights on trade policy, inclusive trade, & the green economy.

New podcast! Is a level playing field a luxury that we can no longer afford in these days of geopolitical contention? Listen to the discussion with @weforum.org @pholmes8.bsky.social @uktpo.org @sussex.ac.uk @chrishorseman.bsky.social @borderlex.net soundcloud.com/uktpo-tradeb...

How will the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy work? @achyuthanil.bsky.social and @sunayanasasmal.bsky.social offer a critical analysis: www.uktpo.org/2025/12/09/a...

#InternationalTrade #CriticalMinerals #copper #EU

New independent review of the UK #TradePolicy by the CITP, UK Trade Policy Observatory & Frontier Economics highlights:
• Fragmented priorities
• Under-resourced trade capacity
• Pressures from climate, & digital change

It calls for more coherent & evidence-led trade policies tinyurl.com/mryrsjhn

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 8th UKTPO Conference. The day was filled with engaging research presentations and discussions, highlighting the need to understand the current state of flux in international trade and trade policy, and how this impacts a multitude of sectors.

Join our online Diploma in International Trade Policy, designed to accelerate your knowledge of trade policy & transform your ability to navigate this challenging landscape. Next module starts Jan 2026. Join us to drive forward trade and trade policy 👉 www.sussex.ac.uk/study/short-...
@sussex.ac.uk

Is it possible to deliver a UK-EU re-set that actually works? What constitutes a win or a loss for the UK? @emilylydgate.bsky.social tackles this in our latest blog: www.uktpo.org/2025/11/26/h...

#Brexit #InternationalTrade #TradePolicy

Join us in London on 1 December 2025 for the UK Trade Policy Observatory's upcoming conference!

Explore how technological innovation, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical changes are reshaping international trade.

🔗 To be added to the waiting list, email uktpo@sussex.ac.uk

#UKTPO #TradePolicy

The UK should assess how digital trade provisions affect small and medium businesses and consider the importance placed on AI safety and the protection of personal data. This is just one of the recommendations in the UK Trade Policy: An Independent Review.

➡️ Read in full: citp.ac.uk/uktpr/uk-tra...

Out today! The UK Trade Policy: An Independent Review provides a comprehensive review of the UK’s trade policy and the extent to which it addresses today’s challenges and identifies where changes may be needed 👉 citp.ac.uk/uktpr/uk-tra...

@uktpo.org o.org, @abpi.bsky.social, @icaew.bsky.social

The UKTPO Conference The 8th Annual UKTPO Conference Reimagining Global Trade: New Rules, New Challenges When: 1 December 2025

🔈 In just under two weeks, the 8th Annual UKTPO Conference will bring together leading academics, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the changing landscape of international trade. The full program of the day can be found here: www.uktpo.org/the-uktpo-co...

#TradePolicy

Non-Binding Instruments in International Economic Diplomacy: A Look at the US Critical Minerals Deals Within ongoing great-power competition in the global economy, “critical” minerals have assumed considerable significance due to their essential role in the advanced technology, defence and green indus...

Via @ejiltalk.bsky.social

✏️ @sunayanasasmal.bsky.social and Lorenzo Cotula take a look at the US critical minerals deal and what it means to other countries: www.ejiltalk.org/non-binding-...

🗓️ In our calendars: Lewes Speakers Festival, 16–18 Jan 2026.
Amongst other speakers, Sir Vince Cable will explore how Asia’s rise is reshaping global power and examine trade realignments, supply chains, and the choices now facing the UK: www.speakersfestivals.com/lewes-speake...