The UK lacks a clear trade strategy to align with its climate, human rights, and social commitments. Without a guiding framework, trade policy risks being short-sighted and failing to serve long-term public interests. A well-defined strategy should ensure trade agreements protect workers, public services, and sustainability while increasing transparency and accountability.
Overview
Trade policy should serve the public good, promoting economic resilience, fairness, and sustainability. However, the UK Government has pursued trade deals without a clear, overarching strategy, leading to agreements that lack coherence and fail to consider long-term social and environmental consequences. Unlike the EU and other major economies, the UK has no formal trade strategy to guide its negotiations, priorities, and policy direction. Instead, trade deals are often rushed, negotiated in secrecy, and shaped by short-term political goals rather than public interest.
Model trade strategy
A model trade strategy lays out what TJM wants to see from any UK trade strategy, covering six key questions:
- Democracy: How will trade policy be negotiated transparently and democratically?
- Human rights and labour rights: How will the UK’s trade agreements uphold fundamental rights, in the UK and internationally?
- Environment: How will UK trade policy support ambitious climate action and high environmental protections?
- Development: How can sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals be placed at the centre of the UK’s approach to international trade?
- Corporate accountability: How can UK trade policies help to hold corporations accountable for supply chain abuses?
- Digital trade: How can trade rules ensure the UK is able to regulate the digital economy now and in the future?
TJM’s position & recommendations
TJM calls for a comprehensive UK trade strategy that:
- Aligns trade policy with social and environmental goals
- Ensures trade agreements support climate action and the transition to a green economy.
- Protects human rights and labour standards, ensuring fair conditions for workers.
- Prevents trade deals from undermining public services, food standards, and consumer rights.
- Ensures democratic accountability and transparency
- Establishes clear parliamentary oversight and public consultation at all stages of trade negotiations.
- Guarantees that MPs and devolved administrations have a meaningful role in shaping trade policy.
- Creates a long-term vision for sustainable and fair trade
- Develops a strategy that prioritises resilience, fair competition, and social justice.
- Ensures trade agreements contribute to reducing inequalities and protecting public interests.
A UK trade strategy should serve as a roadmap for a fair, sustainable, and transparent trade policy—one that works for people and the planet, not just corporate interests.
