Now that the UK has begun to undertake a more robust programme for the negotiation of free trade agreements (FTAs), UK industries will need to engage with government trade policy makers to ensure that their interests are advanced and protected in these negotiations.  Industries like the UK chemical sector that are comprised of multinational companies with interests both as importers and exporters will have to advance nuanced positions to ensure that export markets are opened, while at the same time ensuring that domestic production is adequately shielded from increased import competition.  In addition to FTA negotiations, UK companies will need to take a more active role in monitoring international trade developments to ensure that their specific interests are protected.

The presentation will be headlined by Amanda Brooks CBE, the Director General for Trade Negotiations at the Department for International Trade and Attorneys from Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, an international law firm, based in Washington, D.C., with offices in London, Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong.   

Amanda will share the Department’s ambition for the UK’s future domestic and global prosperity.  Amanda’s responsibilities include agreeing an ambitious set of FTAs and fulfilling the government’s objective to sign agreements with countries accounting for 80% of UK trade.

Steptoe will review the basics of FTAs and how UK companies, either independently or through associations, can advance and protect their commercial goals.  Their presentation will cover the following points:

• The Nuts and Bolts of FTAs
• UK FTAs – Past, Present and Future
• Offensive and Defensive Issues for the UK Chemical Industry
• Approaches to Effective Industry Engagement
• Other Trade Tools Available to UK Industries
• WTO
• Trade Remedies