International Trade Archives - House of Lords Library

International Agreements Committee report on improving the framework for the parliamentary scrutiny of treaties

Monday, 16 May, 2022

In September 2021, the House of Lords International Agreements Committee published a report on its experiences scrutinising agreements under the current statutory framework for treaty scrutiny. Among its recommendations, the committee called for government commitments on scrutiny working practices made since April 2020 to be consolidated in a formal concordat. The committee also asked the government to commit to giving it more notice of both treaties set to be laid before Parliament and significant other agreements.

International Agreements Committee report on improving the framework for the parliamentary scrutiny of treaties

Queen’s Speech 2022: International trade

Thursday, 05 May, 2022

Ahead of the Queen’s Speech on 10 May 2022, this In Focus sets out some of the Government’s current trade priorities. It also includes an overview of current trade negotiations, parliamentary scrutiny of agreements and the potential need for implementing legislation.

Queen’s Speech 2022: International trade

Queen’s Speech 2022: Brexit—Retained EU law and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

Thursday, 05 May, 2022

The Government is planning to make significant changes to the legal status of retained EU law and the post-Brexit regulatory landscape. This would be through a ‘Brexit Freedoms Bill’ and standalone legislation in areas such as procurement and data protection. There is also speculation the Government may introduce a bill to override parts of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Queen’s Speech 2022: Brexit—Retained EU law and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

In Focus

UK trade with Russia

Tuesday, 01 March, 2022

In 2021, the UK had a trade deficit with Russia of over £5 billion. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK has imposed a range of economic sanctions on Russia. This article presents data on UK-Russia trade and summarises the sanctions legislation.
- In Focus
- International Trade
In Focus

Impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on recent political developments in Northern Ireland

Monday, 28 February, 2022

Amid ongoing objections to the protocol from unionist parties, Northern Ireland’s First Minister recently resigned. This followed an attempt by the Minister for Agriculture, currently subject to legal challenge, to halt checks required by the protocol on goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain. This article considers the Government’s assessment of the protocol’s impact on recent political developments in Northern Ireland ahead of a debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus

UK membership of the trans-Pacific trade agreement

Wednesday, 26 January, 2022

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement between 11 countries. The UK has applied to join CPTPP. This briefing summarises the House of Lords International Agreements Committee’s report on the UK’s negotiating objectives for CPTPP, and the Government’s response.
In Focus

UK relations with Qatar

Monday, 17 January, 2022

In recent years, Qatar has experienced significant tensions with its Gulf neighbours following its support for controversial regional actors, including Iran. Following a resolution in early 2021, relations have improved, though a rapprochement with some countries remains slow. The UK enjoys a good relationship with Qatar and recently issued a joint communique with the Gulf Cooperation Council on strengthening ties with the region. However, observers have continued to raise concerns regarding human rights in Qatar, and the treatment of migrant workers ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.
Research Briefing

Subsidy Control Bill

Thursday, 13 January, 2022

The bill would establish a new domestic subsidy control regime following the UK’s departure from the EU. It sets out principles and other requirements for public authorities to comply with when giving subsidies, as well as oversight and enforcement mechanisms. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 January 2022.
In Focus

Farming: labour shortages and new trade deals

Thursday, 06 January, 2022

This article considers recent labour shortages in the farming and food sectors, and the potential impact on farming of the UK’s new trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
In Focus

Motion to annul temporary relaxation of HGV driving time limits and rest patterns

Friday, 03 December, 2021

Between 12 July and 31 October 2021, the Government temporarily relaxed the enforcement of retained EU law that sets the driving time limits and rest patterns of heavy goods vehicle drivers. This was in response to disruption caused by the HGV driver shortage and the Covid-19 pandemic, amongst other things. The Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Temporary Exceptions) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 extends this temporary relaxation from 1 November 2021 until 11.59pm on 9 January 2022. On 6 December 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion to annul this instrument.
In Focus

Trade and institutional frameworks after Brexit

Wednesday, 01 December, 2021

What institutions and arrangements will govern the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU? And what will be the implications of Brexit for UK-EU trade in services and trade in goods? This article summarises the findings of three reports from a House of Lords committee that addressed these questions, as well as the Government’s responses. The House of Lords is due to debate the reports on 6 December 2021.
In Focus

European Union Committee report—Beyond Brexit: Food, Environment, Energy and Health

Thursday, 11 November, 2021

What impact will the UK’s new relationship with the EU have on food, the environment, energy and health? This article examines key findings of a House of Lords committee that looked at this topic earlier this year, as well as the Government’s response, ahead of a debate on 15 November 2021.
In Focus

Promoting trade and business opportunities with Africa

Monday, 25 October, 2021

The Government has outlined its commitment to improving trade and business links with Africa. In January 2020, it held a UK-Africa investment summit and, since leaving the EU, the UK has agreed eight free trade agreements with African countries and trading blocs. This article discusses the Government’s plans, and highlights commentary from the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, in advance of a debate on 28 October 2021.
In Focus

Heavy goods vehicle driver shortage

Wednesday, 20 October, 2021

The UK, alongside other countries, is currently experiencing a shortage of HGV drivers. This has caused some UK supply chain issues, including the fuel shortage at the start of October 2021. The Government has laid out several actions to address the shortage, which have been met with mixed responses.
In Focus

The United Kingdom’s Free Trade Agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Tuesday, 05 October, 2021

On 14 October 2021, the House of Lords is due to consider the free trade agreement between the UK and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This article examines the details of the agreement, as well as the parliamentary scrutiny it has received to date.
- In Focus
- International Trade

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