Frameworks for future UK trade deals

Post-Brexit, the UK is looking to expand its global reach, and free trade is a major mechanism which the UK deploys to forge international connections. However, there have been concerns about some of the free trade agreements forged so far - with fears that they may flood the UK market with imports that undercut domestic producers, or even drive a race to the bottom in terms of environmental standards. 

The UK Trade and Business Commission took evidence on the best approaches with which to conduct future international trading relationships. Ensuring that trade maximises domestic priorities while also strengthening international partnerships is an important balance to achieve, and it is critical going forward that the UK does not sacrifice its overall aims and goals by rushing insufficient trade deals which do not feed into overall UK objectives. The panel discussed critical trade policy priorities, as well as the considerations that constantly need to be weighed up when forging trade deals moving forward.

Witnesses

MICHAEL GASIOREK, Director, UK Trade Policy Observatory

SALLY JONES, UK Trade Strategy and Brexit Leader, EY

MARCO FORGIONE, Director General, The Institute of Export and International Trade

PROFESSOR CLAIR GAMMAGE, Director of Global Engagement, University of Exeter Law School

ELITSA GARNIZOVA, Founder and Director, LSE Consulting’s Trade Policy Hub 

MUSTAFA QADRI, Founder and Executive Director, Equidem Research and Consulting