Export led growth

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 15 Jan 2025 Closed: 10 Mar 2026 Parliament page
The Government has set its sights on achieving the "highest sustained growth in the G7". This will be backed by new industrial and trade strategies to boost productivity, create good jobs and strengthen global partnerships including with the EU. The Business and Trade Committee will examine the Government's trade strategy … Read more
28 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
2 Reports
4 Oral sessions
30 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 42 events
11 Feb
2026
Correspondence
3 Feb
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
12 Nov
2025
Correspondence
4 Nov
2025
Correspondence
21 Oct
2025
Correspondence
15 Oct
2025
Correspondence
15 Oct
2025
Correspondence
19 Sep
2025
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
3 Jun 2025
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Andy Richardson · Special Melted Products David Exwood · National Farmers Union George Drakos · Bridgnorth Aluminium Jonathan Legh-Smith · UKQuantum Murray Paul · Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Paul Kenward · ABF Sugar Russell Codling · Tata Steel UK Sabina Ciofu · techUK Simon Thomas · Paragraf Steve Bates · Bioindustry Association
25 Mar 2025
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Alex Gover · Intralink Charlie Humphreys · Asia House Douglas Barrie · International Institute for Strategic Studies Harry Anderson · Universities UK Helen Brocklebank · Walpole Ian Gibbons OBE · UK ASEAN Business Council Johanna Kyrklund · Schroders Mr Jonathan Brenton · Pernod Ricard Nicola Watkinson · TheCityUK
25 Feb 2025
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Eric Gottwald · AFL-CIO Frank Aaskov · UK Steel George Magnus · University of Oxford China Centre and School of Oriental and African Studies Lord Mark Sedwill, Cabinet Secretary (2018-2020) Mr Marley Morris · Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Rebecca Sedler · National Grid Rosa Crawford · Trade Union Congress (TUC) Sarah Williams · Green Alliance Sean Sargent · Green Lithium Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles · China-Britain Business Council The Lord Hannan of Kingsclere · Institute for Free Trade Tom Brufatto · Best for Britain Tom Wills · Trade Justice Movement
21 Jan 2025
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Amanda Brooks CBE · Department for Business and Trade Niall MacEntee-Creighton · Cabinet Office Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP · Department for Business and Trade Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · Cabinet Office
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Acknowledged
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Enhance UK-EU cooperation against unfair trade practices, including forced labour and industrial subsidies.
The UK should work closely with the EU to strengthen coordinated action against non-market economies that undermine the international trading system through unfair practices, including use of forced labour, industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprise advantages, and forced technology transfers. Enhancing cooperation … Read more
Government Response
The government notes existing UK-EU cooperation on economic stability and supply chain security through regular exchanges and high-level meetings. It states it is exploring ways to exchange views on economic security policies and is reviewing its internal approach to minimise forced labour in supply chains.
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Maximise cuts to EU trade red tape, pursuing AEO recognition and waiving security declarations.
The Government should seek to maximise cuts to the red tape currently restricting free trade with the EU, taking full advantage of the customs cooperation provisions in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Specifically, it should pursue mutual recognition of UK … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating its commitment to easing trade burdens and its regular engagement with industry through existing forums and with the EU via TCA committees to identify and address issues within the current framework. No specific action was committed regarding mutual recognition of AEO schemes or bilateral waivers.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation Acknowledged
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Monitor EU’s Data Union Strategy and ensure a permanent data adequacy agreement is secured.
We note the extensive cooperation between the Government and the European Commission on the Data (Use and Access) Bill. We recommend that the Government monitors the EU’s Data Union Strategy upon its publication, assesses implications for UK policy, and take … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating it will follow the EU Data Union Strategy with interest and noting the 6-month extension to the UK's adequacy decisions. UK officials will continue to support the ongoing adequacy review process.
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Continued UK-EU engagement necessary for smoother market access for touring artists.
We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to trade for touring artists. Given the economic and cultural significance of these sectors, continued engagement between UK and EU regulatory bodies is necessary to facilitate smoother market access. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89) 47 Read more
Government Response
The government committed with the EU at the Summit to support travel and cultural exchange for touring artists and will continue to engage with the EU and Member States, including through annual summits and industry stakeholders, to improve touring arrangements.
Department for Business and Trade
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1 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Include robust, enforceable intellectual property chapters in all new and updated FTAs.
Asia-Pacific offers vast commercial potential for UK exports of both goods and services, but realising these opportunities for greater trade will depend on overcoming barriers through targeted regulatory diplomacy and sustained engagement through dialogues and trade frameworks. In particular, the … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed on the importance of trade dialogues for achieving trade outcomes and described its ongoing engagement with Asia-Pacific partners to address market access and regulatory environments. However, it did not explicitly commit to including robust IP chapters in all new FTAs or to allocating specific resources for IP enforcement and promotion.
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Maintain commitment to Global Combat Air Programme and provide longer-term funding for industry confidence.
The Government must continue its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme as a conduit to build further on good relations with Japan, a key partner in the region. By recognising the power of such partnerships, and exploring where these … Read more
Government Response
The government reaffirms its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme and continued defence cooperation with Japan, highlighting ongoing annual steering panels. However, it only acknowledges the importance of stable funding without committing to the recommended longer-term funding cycles.
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Confirm education as a priority sector within trade strategy to maximise export potential.
Education and higher education are critical export sectors in Asia-Pacific and strategic enablers of the best possible export environment in the region. The Government’s trade strategy should confirm that education is a priority sector and the Industrial Strategy Council should … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of education exports and is delivering through its International Education Strategy, having reappointed an education champion. It also notes that embassies have been instructed to consider deploying soft power, and a Soft Power Strategy is being developed, but does not specifically commit to a cross-Whitehall dialogue via the Industrial Strategy Council or a five-year business plan for universities.
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Asia's divergent digital trade governance creates opportunity for UK alignment.
Asia is fast becoming a key market for digital trade, shaped by divergent data governance models and rapid technological transformation. While regulatory fragmentation poses challenges, it also creates a window for the UK to support greater alignment through trusted, collaborative … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of digital trade and states its Trade Strategy aims to explore deeper digital trade cooperation, including potentially acceding to DEPA and other agreements, while continuing to lead at the WTO. However, no firm commitments are made regarding new actions or accession.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Shift greater attention to joining open-ended digital agreements for faster market access.
As part of the new trade strategy, the Government should shift greater attention and resourcing toward joining open-ended digital agreements, such as DEPA, that better reflect the Indo-Pacific’s role as the engine of global digital growth, and offer faster, more … Read more
Government Response
The government states its Trade Strategy intends to explore deepening digital trade cooperation and agreements, including exploring accession to DEPA if in the national interest, but is not yet in a position to confirm seeking accession.
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Set out plan to promote liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services.
As part of its new trade strategy, the Government should clearly set out how it will promote the liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services, particularly in and to the fast-moving Asia-Pacific region. The strategy must be aligned with … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined its general engagement with Asia-Pacific markets, including ministerial travel, CPTPP membership, and existing trade agreements, stating that its trade policy aims to generate UK growth through various levers. However, it did not specifically detail how it will promote environmental goods and services exports or align this with the UK's industrial strategy to address strategic dependencies as recommended.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 28 classified
Accepted 19
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 1
Total 28 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 30 letters
11 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round nine of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 2 February 2026
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3 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the signature of the UK-Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership, 19 January 2026
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round three of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 11 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the UK-Swiss mutual recognition agreement on Conformity Assessment, 10 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the Southern Africa Customs Union and Mozambique, 8 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minster of State for Trade relating to the UK-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, 15 December 2025
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12 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to EU Cumulation and Direct Transport in the United Kingdom-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, 5 November 2025
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4 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round eight of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 28 October 2025
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21 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round 2 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 13 October 2025
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15 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from Minister of State for Trade relating to UK’s WTO Article XXVIII process, 17 September 2025
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15 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to UK-Greenland Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement Negotiations, 3 October 2025
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2 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the UK's bioethanol industry, 4 August 2025
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2 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Paymaster General and the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the Committee's sixth report on UK-EU relations and the Committee’s letter of 16 June, 15 July 2025
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23 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round 5 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea, 21 July 2025
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23 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round 1 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 14 July 2025
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15 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to launch of UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership Pillars on Investment, 27 June 2025
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1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the UK’s Trade Strategy, 25 June 2025
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1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round seven of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 25 June 2025
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24 Jun 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the safeguarding of the Bioethanol Sector, 24 June 2025
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24 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from AB Sugar relating to UK Bio-ethanol industry, 18 June 2025
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3 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, 28 May 2025
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20 May 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to a UK trade agreement with the United States, 13 May 2025
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15 May 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, 15 May 2025
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6 May 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to UK measures in response to US tariffs, 25 April 2025
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1 May 2025 From committee Letter to the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to how ministers should respond to US Tariffs, 1 May 2025
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29 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Trade Remedies Authority relating to monitoring trade diversion and product dumping into the UK market, 17 April 2025
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29 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders relating to their position on PEM, 24 April 2025
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22 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Walpole relating to oral evidence given before the Committee, 28 March 2025
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16 Apr 2025 From committee Letter to Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the Government's consultation on the response to US tariffs, 16 April 2025
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14 Apr 2025 From committee Letter to the Trade Remedies Authority relating to trade diversion and the dumping of goods into the UK market, 14 April 2025
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