Documents to download

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a free trade agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and USA. The aim of the agreement is to reduce ‘barriers to trade’ and to enhance the compatibility of regulations and standards. The first round of negotiations was held in July 2013 and the most recent round—the ninth—took place in April 2015. Tariffs between the USA and EU are already low, and are likely to be easily reduced or eliminated under an eventual agreement. However, measures to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade and investment could prove harder to agree. Areas of particular contention include food standards and investor-state dispute settlements. If an agreement is reached between the two negotiating authorities it will need to be ratified by all Member States of the EU and the European Parliament before it can come into force.


Documents to download

Related posts

  • US tariffs: Background, perspectives and impact on the UK

    The US has announced significant increases in tariffs on imports, although has delayed full implementation. Many economists view tariffs unfavourably, arguing that they raise prices, reduce competition and risk retaliation. But others suggest that tariffs may benefit the country that applies them. UK exports to the US face an additional 10% tariff. This could be negative for UK exports and the economy. But there could be some upsides for the UK if the US goes ahead with higher “reciprocal” tariffs on many of the UK’s competitors.

    US tariffs: Background, perspectives and impact on the UK
  • Free trade agreements with India and Southeast Asian nations

    In February 2025, the UK government announced that it was resuming negotiations with India with the aim of agreeing a free trade deal. This followed work by the previous Conservative government which initially opened trade talks in 2021. An overview of these talks is provided in this briefing alongside information about the UK’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Relevant trade statistics are also included.

    Free trade agreements with India and Southeast Asian nations
  • Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity

    The government has identified the creative industries as one of eight “growth driving” sectors it will prioritise in its industrial strategy. The strategy is due to be published later this year, along with a creative industries sector plan. The creative industries have called on barriers to growth, such as skills gaps and access to funding, to be addressed in the sector plan.

    Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity