International Trade Archives

In Focus

King’s Speech 2023: Economic affairs, business and trade

Wednesday, 01 November, 2023

This briefing considers the current economic situation ahead of the 2023 King’s Speech. It also covers other economy, business and trade-related measures that the government has indicated it may pursue. Such measures include regulatory reform, reforming the way in which building societies can fund themselves, and legislation to implement specific areas of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in UK domestic law.
In Focus

Value added tax (VAT) at 50

Monday, 11 September, 2023

The 50th anniversary of the UK’s value added tax (VAT) occurred on 1 April 2023. VAT was introduced in anticipation of the UK’s entry to the European Economic Community and has since become one of the government’s largest revenue raisers. This article examines the history of VAT and the debate about how it has developed.
In Focus

The future UK-EU relationship: Report by the House of Lords European Affairs Committee

Friday, 08 September, 2023

Since the Windsor Framework was agreed in February 2023, the UK and the EU agree their relationship has been on a positive trajectory. In light of this, a recent House of Lords committee report made recommendations about further opportunities for UK-EU cooperation on foreign policy, defence and security, energy security, climate change and mobility of people.
In Focus

Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework: Reports by the House of Lords Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee

Monday, 04 September, 2023

A House of Lords committee found in July 2022 that the Northern Ireland Protocol was affecting Northern Ireland businesses differently depending on whether they traded mostly with Great Britain or with Ireland and the EU. A year later, the same committee found the Windsor Framework, which amended the protocol in February 2023, was an improvement on the protocol as originally negotiated, but has not solved all the problems associated with it.
In Focus

Charging ahead? Future of the UK car industry

Monday, 03 July, 2023

In recent years, concerns have been raised about the state of the UK’s car industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents car manufacturers in the UK, has reported that manufacturing decreased every year from 2016 to 2022. In addition, various companies have announced UK plant closures or capacity reductions. Concerns have also focused on the future of the industry. This article considers the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and examines one of the main challenges to this: the domestic production of batteries for EVs.
Research Briefing

Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill: HL Bill 119 of 2022–23

Tuesday, 06 June, 2023

The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill would prohibit the import into Great Britain of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. It is a private member’s bill that is supported by the government. It is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 16 June 2023.
In Focus

Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties

Tuesday, 16 May, 2023

When the UK withdrew from the EU it regained its ability to independently negotiate free trade agreements. The trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand were the first that the UK negotiated from scratch. The legislation implementing their procurement provisions in domestic UK law received royal assent on 23 March 2023 (the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act 2023). This, and the negotiation of the agreements that underpinned the UK’s withdrawal, has highlighted the role of Parliament in scrutinising international treaties.
In Focus

Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2023 and the Stormont brake

Friday, 24 March, 2023

On 29 March 2023, the House of Lords is due to debate regulations that would implement the Stormont brake in domestic law. These regulations were approved by the House of Commons on 22 March 2023. The Stormont brake is a key part of the Windsor Framework agreed between the UK and the EU. This briefing explains the background to the brake and how it would work, and includes reaction from political parties.
In Focus

Cryptoassets: What does the future hold?

Thursday, 09 March, 2023

Cryptoassets, such as digital currencies like bitcoin, have become a significant part of the world of finance, with a global value estimated at $0.8tn. Volatility in the markets for these products, along with high-profile business failures, has led to calls for cryptoassets to be regulated. This article discusses what cryptoassets are, as well as recent developments and the government’s policy intentions in this area.
In Focus

Cost of living: Food price inflation

Friday, 10 February, 2023

Food prices have risen sharply over the course of 2022 both in the UK and around the world. Although inflation is predicted to decline in 2023, concerns remain that food prices will remain high. This article explores changes to food prices and their impact on the cost of living.
In Focus

Trade in goods between Great Britain and the EU: European Affairs Committee report

Friday, 27 January, 2023

Following successive postponements of full border controls for goods from the EU, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into the subject in September 2021. Reporting two months later, the committee drew attention to the uneven trade barriers facing UK and EU exporters. The committee has since sought answers to a variety of questions, including how the government will ensure it adheres to its latest target date to implement full controls.
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In Focus

UK and India collaboration: Roadmap to 2030

Thursday, 12 January, 2023

The UK government’s foreign and defence policies include a ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific region. This includes developing closer collaboration with India across a range of areas. UK and India relations are framed by a mutually agreed roadmap to deepen bilateral ties by 2030 with the aim of developing a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Research Briefing

Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill: HL Bill 81 of 2022–23

Wednesday, 21 December, 2022

The Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill is a government bill that is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 9 January 2023. The bill would implement the government procurement chapters of the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand free trade agreements in UK domestic law.
In Focus

UK trade and investment with Central America

Thursday, 15 December, 2022

Since the UK left the EU, trade between the UK and Central America has been governed by a bilateral trade agreement. The UK also signed a joint financing agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration in August 2021 to build upon the bilateral agreement. This article considers these agreements, as well as other trade negotiations that the UK is currently participating in with countries across the world.
Research Briefing

Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL]: HL Bill 57 of 2022–23

Friday, 21 October, 2022

The Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL] provides for certain digital trade documents to be put on the same legal footing as their paper counterparts. It implements the recommendations made by the Law Commission in March 2022. The bill was introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on 12 October 2022. The second reading of the bill is due to take place on 7 November 2022.

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