Trade Policy Advisory Group meeting: 14 March 2024
Summary of the Trade Policy Advisory Group meeting held in person on 14 March 2024.
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Attendees
TPAG members & stakeholders:
- Andy Richardson (Food and Drink Board Wales)
- Dr Anna Jerzewska (Trade & Borders Consultancy)
- Gwyn Tudor (MediWales)
- Hemita Bhatti (Institute of Export and International Trade)
- Henry Clarke (RDP Law)
- Lloyd Powell (ACCA Cymru Wales)
- Madeleine Pinder (Aerospace Wales)
- Dr Louisa Petchey (Public Health Wales)
- Paul Brooks (Institute of Export and International Trade)
- Rachael Madeley (Hybu Cig Cymru)
- Robert O’Neil (Welsh Automotive Forum)
- Sarah Stone (Fair Trade Wales)
Welcome and introductions
The Welsh Government’s Director for International Relations and Trade opened the meeting by thanking the group members and outlining their role in helping to shape Welsh Government trade policy by providing expert input on how we can maximise the opportunities, and minimise the threats, that free trade agreements could bring to Wales and the Welsh economy.
The Welsh Government’s Director General for Economy, Treasury & Constitution Group addressed the group and thanked them for their vital role in shaping Welsh Government’s trade policy. The Director General provided an update on Welsh Government economic priorities and answered questions from the group on investment zones and freeports.
Update on trade deals under negotiation by the UK government
The Welsh Government’s Head of Trade Policy provided an overview of the work to date regarding the UK government’s free trade agreements, including the negotiations that have concluded, those that have started and those about to commence. It was highlighted that the Welsh Government is engaging with the UK government and inputting into discussions on international trade policy and trade negotiations.
The group discussed and provided opinions on the following matters:
- The pause in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the UK and Canada.
- The UK-India negotiations and cross-analysis with the recently agreed FTA between India and EEA-EFTA.
- The UK-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA negotiations.
- Implementation and utilisation of FTAs.
- The Memorandum of Understanding Agreements between the UK and individual states of the USA.
Welsh Government’s approach to trade policy
A member of the Welsh Government’s Trade Policy team presented a draft paper setting out the Welsh Government approach to trade policy, its grounding in the Well-being of Future Generations Act, and explain the cross-cutting policy objectives Welsh Government believes the UK government should pursue when negotiating trade agreements.
The group provided their comments on the paper with suggested amendments.
The Women in Export Research Project
A member of the Welsh Government’s Trade Policy team provided an update on the Welsh Government’s research project on “Women in Export”.
The purpose of the project is to examine whether there were any factors inhibiting women-led firms in Wales from trading internationally and to identify policies to overcome them.
The group discussed the project and suggested how their organisations could help contribute towards the project.
Update by the Trade Remedies Authority
Two members of the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) provided an overview of the TRA’s work and took questions from the group.
Closing remarks
The Welsh Government’s Director for International Relations and Trade closed the meeting by thanking attendees for their wide-ranging contributions to discussions.