
Frontier in collaboration with the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy (CITP) and the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) is conducting an independent UK Trade Policy Review.
The review aims to provide an unbiased evaluation of UK trade policy, drawing on evidence and contributions from policymakers, stakeholders, civil society, citizens, and experts. The review comes at a key juncture for UK trade policy. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU is up for review, and the government has announced a new trade strategy for later this year. Internationally, rising protectionism has generated specific challenges countries, such as the UK, that are dependent on trade and cross-border linkages.
It will examine the UK’s trade policy, including tools, priorities, decision-making processes, key stakeholders, and its impacts. It will feature sector case studies and will look to stimulate discussions on how to enhance policy formulation, productivity, economic growth, and address key issues, priorities, and trade-offs.
This review aims to complement the World Trade Organization's scheduled review in 2025. The UK Trade Policy Review focuses on several critical areas:
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Effectiveness and coherence: Assessing how well current trade policies align with broader objectives, including sustainability, economic security, and regional development.
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Inclusiveness: Evaluating the inclusivity of policy formulation and outcomes, ensuring diverse stakeholder engagement and equitable benefits across society.
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Thematic analysis: Exploring the interaction between trade policy and key issues such as economic security, sustainability, industrial policy in the digital age and inclusiveness.
There will be a series of industry roundtable events to discuss the issues raised, leading up to the launch of the full report in September 2025.