Your monthly update from the UK and International Competitiveness teams at the CBI.
It’s been another busy month for the trade and international teams. From developments on China to backing UK trade in services and raising the voice of business ahead of the EU TCA (Trade and Co-operation Agreement) review next year, we’re out pressing our members’ interests on the international stage.
Delivering a fully functioning TCA
The UK’s Domestic Advisory Group (DAG), set up under the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement and chaired by the CBI, has published a Report which sets out the main issues raised by DAG members.
Ahead of the review of the TCA in 2025/26, we’ve worked with other DAG members, from business associations and trade unions, to civil society and academia, to draw up a report of our key concerns, as well as recommendations for how we can deliver a fully functioning, uniformly applied TCA.
The DAG looked at five key areas: (1) Trade and Customs; (2) Level Playing Field and Regulatory Co-operation; (3) Energy and Climate Change; (4) Business and Labour Mobility and (5) Nations and Regions. In each, we set out short-, medium- and longer-term steps to improve not only the TCA, but wider UK-EU relations and co-operation. Whilst this report is an expression of the DAG as a whole, it should not be seen as a reflection of the policy position of every single individual organisation.
UK DAG will continue to monitor developments and provide effective advice to the UK Government, Devolved Administrations, European Commission and Parliament, whilst working collaboratively with the EU DAG.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme
Following reports that have been raised with us, we understand the real concerns members have about suggestions that China may be moved to the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and the breadth of commercial activities that may be in scope.
Of course, legislation which protects our national interests is vitally important and business will always be led by government on issues of national security. However, businesses are concerned by the lack of exemption for legitimate commercial activities within the enhanced tier and the limited industry engagement on this issue. We are relaying members’ concerns to senior Ministers and officials, emphasising that legislation must effectively balance economic and national interests, and to understand what impact this might have on British industry. Get in touch if you have any concerns or want to find out more.
Powering trade in services – get involved
We are continuing to build up our Services Trade Taskforce, a cross-sectoral group of members focused on delivering a full vision for the future of services trade, to feed into the next government.
The Taskforce is meeting monthly to work up a set of recommendations to grow our services exports over the coming years. In particular, we’re focusing on mobility, digital trade, data, regulation and UK competitiveness – looking at how government interventions and B2G partnership in these areas can bolster the UK’s position as a global services hub.
Get involved and share your insights by contacting Erin Henwood.
