The Institute of Export and International Trade

Both the EU and UK have officially confirmed that the much-awaited leaders’ summit will take place on 20 November. In other trade developments, Brussels released a new list of sanctioned Russian entities, British ministers are set to visit India on a trade mission and the IMF has upgraded its forecast for UK growth. UK-EU summit confirmed Prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that the EU and UK will hold their joint leaders’ summit on 20 November.

The week begins with UK prime minister Andy Burnham continuing his drive for closer EU ties, as he is set to tell parliament that he wants a closer relationship with Brussels and that to do otherwise would be a “dereliction of duty”.

The week ends with the UK facing renewed pressure to align with Brussels on trade measures against China, with the German Chancellor joining the push to use the bloc’s ‘Made in Europe’ scheme as leverage. That follows a reported breakthrough in ongoing ‘reset’ negotiations, as both parties are said to have agreed to link their Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS). Meanwhile, the Chartered Institute public affairs team reflect on the end of the Conservative Party Conference.

Our Chartered Institute public affairs team were in Birmingham this week, representing our members' viewing to senior political and industry figures at the Conservative Party Conference. They shared their reflections and key takeaways from the event. Both the Leader of the Opposition’s Speech, and the publication of her vision ‘The Right Way’, set out the Conservatives’ intention to foster a pro-growth business environment and to attract international investors.

Our technical director Anna Doherty sat down with International Logistics Buyer's editor Bethany Kellock to discuss customs modernisation. a. I am the Technical Director at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, where I lead work relating to customs, border compliance and international trade.

According to media reports, the UK and EU have agreed on how to link their carbon emissions scheme. The move should be a boon for traders importing goods subject to both the EU and UK version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Elsewhere, there could be further movement on UK-EU relations, as UK prime minister Andy Burnham visits Berlin and the French finance minister said the UK would be welocme back to the bloc "anytime" .

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch closed her party’s conference in Birmingham today (7 October). Beyond the much-anticipated inheritance tax announcements, we have the business and trade policy announcements below. Away from party conferences, there are mixed reports on whether the UK is set to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), with business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds expected to rule the measure out unequivocally but other senior figures suggesting otherwise.

The Conservative Party conference continues in Birmingham, as the shadow chancellor delivered his major speech and set out the party’s plans for government if they are returned to office at the next election. Beyond the world of politics, trade ministers are visiting Japan and Central Asia in a pair of separate trips designed to boost UK growth in areas like pharmaceutical exports and clean energy development.

The big ticket event this week is the Conservative Party’s annual conference, which takes place over the first half of the week. Following the Labour Party’s gathering in Liverpool last week, the opposition party is expected to outline its vision for the future of the country, with major trade implications stemming from its position on the EU and Brexit.

The Labour Party's Annual Conference wrapped up this week, producing headlines in the world of international trade and beyond. The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's public affairs experts give their opinions on the conference, including on how prime minister Andy Burnham's speech is likely to change the picture for the UK's importers and exporters.