NewsCase StudiesEvents

Reducing barriers to international free trade

Also in the news...

Transfer of residence to the UK

Find out how to import your personal belongings, pets and private motor vehicles when moving or returning to the UK.

Norway's WTO Trade Policy Review: UK Statement

UK Statement at Norway’s World Trade Organization Trade Policy Review. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

UK-Norway Iceland Liechtenstein free trade agreement

Business guidance, reports and other documents to help you understand the UK-Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein free trade agreement (FTA).

Essential Steps Before Launching an International Auction Business

Expanding a business internationally presents unique challenges, particularly when that business involves auctions. The global auction market continues to grow as more entrepreneurs see its potential for reaching new customers across borders. However, success in this specialised field requires careful planning and the right technological foundation.

Innovative Welsh exporter puts Britain at the forefront of global immunisation efforts

UK Export Finance supports renewable energy tech company Dulas to deliver life-saving vaccine refrigerators to over 80 countries worldwide.

Reducing barriers to international free trade

Back to News

International trade agreements Trade agreements open up new opportunities for the UK’s exporters. They can also ensure access to competitively priced imports from other countries.

Negotiating Trade Agreements

The UK has a shared import/export policy with other European Union (EU) countries. This means EU countries work together to negotiate trade agreements with non-EU countries.

This arrangement is part of the Common Commercial Policy – an agreement where the EU represents all its member states in trade negotiations with non-EU countries.

Types of Trade Agreement

There are two main types of international trade agreement:

  • multilateral agreements are negotiated between the 157 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) - any trade concession applies to all members but with special considerations for poor countries
  • bilateral agreements are negotiated between the EU and other individual countries or trading blocs - they include the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) the EU is negotiating with India, Singapore and Canada

Trade and development

There are several types of trade agreement specially suited for poorer countries. They include:

  • Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs): these provide immediate duty and quota free access to EU markets for countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)
  • Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): this grants trade preferences and reductions in tariffs to 176 developing countries and territories
  • GSP+ scheme: this grants extra concessions to countries that adopt 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights and the environment
  • Everything but Arms (EBA): this is for the poorest countries in the world - it grants them duty and quota free access to EU markets without asking for concessions in return

gov.uk

You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.