Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Paragraph: 16
The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity...
Recommendation
The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity to become a significant aspect of the UK’s international influence. But, if it is not coordinated with other UK priorities abroad, then the elevation of trade risks introducing further incoherence into the UK’s international policy. We recommend that the Government delivers even deeper strategic coordination between the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the FCDO to ensure greater policy coherence and impact.
Paragraph Reference:
16
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
13.1 The Government agrees with the Committee’s view on the importance of sustaining the UK’s strong, historic ties with European states. The UK will continue to work intensively with our European partners on our shared security challenges. Being outside the EU will not affect this commitment, nor the unique role that our armed forces and security services play in keeping Europe safe from a wide range of threats. As a sovereign ally, we will reinforce the UK’s position as a reliable neighbour and partner, reinvigorating our relationships in the region to amplify our global influence, achieve shared goals and act as a force for good in the world. That means doing diplomacy differently and leaning in to those alliances and regional groups that can have global impact including in the multilateral system. 13.2 The Indo-Pacific is increasingly important for the UK, as a centre of global economic growth, and a region of increasing geostrategic importance. The UK has a range of enduring interests in the region. 13.3 The Integrated Review will set out the full breadth of our offer to the Indo-Pacific. However, through the Foreign Secretary’s increased engagement with the region, the UK bid to achieve ASEAN Dialogue Partnership status and via actions to pursue accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the UK has signalled its intention to prioritise the Indo-Pacific and develop closer partnerships with likeminded countries in the region.