UK trade policy

Abstract

This chapter discusses the UK’s trade policy towards non-EU states (third countries) following withdrawal from the European Union, including preferential trade agreements and autonomous trade measures, bearing in mind that these will operate within the legal framework of WTO rules; other chapters in the collection cover the UK’s position in the WTO and international investment policy. The subject of this chapter is trade policy strictu sensu, encompassing the legal conditions under which trade takes place, including tariffs, rules of origin, regulatory controls and trade defence instruments. Trade policy includes WTO/GATT schedules on goods (Most Favoured Nation (MFN) bound and applied tariffs) and WTO/GATS schedules for services; Mutual Recognition Agreements and regulatory cooperation arrangements; trade defence instruments; export and import controls; autonomous trade preferences for developing countries (Generalised System of Preferences, or GSP); plurilateral agreements such as the Agreement on Government Procurement and the agreement on trade in services (TiSA) currently under negotiation; bilateral and regional preferential trade agreements (PTAs), normally Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).