International Trade
Latest International Trade Publications

A Global Maritime Power
Nusrat Ghani MP, Benjamin Barnard, Dominic Walsh and William NicolleThe UK is one of the world’s leading maritime nations. As it leaves the European Union, Britain’s status as a leading economic and geo-political power depends upon the strength of its maritime industry. This paper, co-authored by former Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani MP, highlights the difficulties facing the maritime sector and shows how support for our ports, shipping companies, shipbuilders and others can play a central role in the delivery of Government priorities such as the levelling-up agenda, making a success of Brexit, encouraging international trade, and supporting clean growth.

The Irish Backstop: Nothing has changed? It has actually
Lord Bew and Lord TrimbleThe UK Government is now correct in asserting the right, in extremis, to appeal to international law under the Vienna Convention.

A Second Look
Professor Guglielmo Verdirame, Sir Stephen Laws and Richard EkinsThe UK’s legal position in relation to the backstop.
Latest International Trade Blogs

Why be afraid of No Deal?
The risks can be managed and we still have some good bargaining chips, write Alexander Downer and Graham Gudgin.

What you didn’t know about the Irish Border – how technology can resolve the issue of the North/South frontier post-Brexit
David Trimble’s former Special Adviser – and Chief Economic Adviser to Policy Exchange – sets out how technology can ensure a low-profile border between North and South.

Europe’s Trade Problem: Closed markets that stay closed result in a defective approach to science and the management of risk evaluation
Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics critiques the European Union’s “ascientific” approach to trade regulation.
Latest International Trade News

Theresa May responds to Lord Bew’s Backstop paper
In a Q and A after her speech in Belfast on how Brexit will affect Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister was asked about Lord Bew’s recent Policy Exchange paper, The Backstop Paralysis: A Way Out. Specifically, did she agree with his assessment that the UK Government has not challenged the Irish Government’s narrative on the Good Friday Agreement being under threat.

International Trade Secretary visits Policy Exchange for a keynote speech
Rt Hon Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, visited Policy Exchange to deliver a keynote speech on free trade and the UK’s place in the world after its departure from the EU.

Japan’s PM Shinzō Abe confirms Policy Exchange research
Japan would welcome Britain to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal “with open arms”, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe told the Financial Times. His remarks confirm Policy Exchange’s recent findings in Trading Tigers, which argued that “UK membership would be attractive to Japan in view of the substantial Japanese investment flows to the UK and the addition of a sizeable market.”
Latest International Trade Events
Upcoming Events
- Friday, 1 February, 2019
10:30 - 12:00
Rt Hon Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, visited Policy Exchange to deliver a keynote speech on free trade and the UK’s place in the world after its departure from the EU. Setting out his vision for a “time beyond Brexit”, he argued: “Economic nationalism may look like an attractive shelter from the winds of change that have come with the era of globalisation – and even more from the technological revolution in which we find ourselves – but it is a mirage.”
- Monday, 23 July, 2018
17:00 - 18:30
Marking the launch of a new paper, Policy Exchange invites you to a panel discussion on “Is Britain’s Growth Model Broken – and Can Brexit Help to Fix It?” The paper’s author Dr Christopher Bickerton will introduce his research, followed by a panel discussion including the former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court.
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Thursday, 28 June, 2018
13:00 - 14:30
Secretary of State for International Development Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP and Brigadier John Deverell spoke on the strategic role of soft power, outlining how her vision for the future of UK development policy applies in the context of civilian–military cooperation, the interplay between hard and soft power, and the importance of development’s role alongside defence and diplomacy.
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
10:15 - 12:45
Policy Exchange’s Making Good on Global Britain conference culminated in a discussion between General David H Petraeus (Ret.), former Commander of United States Central Command and former Director of the CIA, and Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who explored the theme of hard and soft power from their unique perspectives.
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
13:15 - 14:30
Policy Exchange is delighted to host a lunch with General David H Petraeus (Ret.) in conversation with Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to United Kingdom The discussion will cover the topic of: “Hearts and Minds” in an era of isolationism The lunch will be the conclusion of a conference following the publication of three reports examining Britain’s international (more…)
- Monday, 5 March, 2018
10:15 - 14:30
Policy Exchange is delighted to host a conference following the publication of three reports examining Britain’s international role in a post Brexit world – and how to address the new isolationism. The conference will focus on the role that the UK can play as an outwardly focused nation and global leader in defence, science, trade (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Wednesday, 28 March, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to host the keynote valedictory speech of Hon Alexander Downer as High Commissioner of Australia. Mr Downer praised British leadership in responding to Russia, saying “Not only did the British Government react robustly to the chemical weapons attack in Salisbury but it has brought to bear the power of Britain to corral the great network of Western allies at long last to stand up to Russian intransigence”. He also reflected on the opportunities for free trade after Brexit. Mr Downer is Policy Exchange’s incoming Chairman.
- Wednesday, 14 February, 2018
10:30 - 11:30
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, set out his vision for a liberal Brexit in a speech given at Policy Exchange.
- Monday, 17 July, 2017
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange hosted Professor Richard Tuck, one of the world’s leading historians of ideas, to set out the case for Brexit as the best opportunity for the Left to bring about pure socialism. Labour MP Caroline Flint delivered the vote of thanks, in which she cautioned her colleagues that “We cannot spend the next 18 months voting down every one of the Tories’ EU Bills. If we do so, we will look like liars” in remarks covered by the Express, the Sun and Total Politics.
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Monday, 10 July, 2017
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to award the 2017 Disraeli prize, presented by Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, Home Secretary to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Venue: Institute of Mechanical Engineers
Address: