Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
8th Report - Export led growth: Trade with the Asia-Pacific region
Business and Trade Committee
HC 1048
Published 29 June 2025
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Utilise trade dialogues in Asia to reduce tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and enhance intellectual property protection.
Recommendation
The Government should use its full network of trade dialogues in Asia to push for real, commercially meaningful outcomes to drive down tariffs, remove regulatory uncertainty and improve intellectual property protection. In particular, the Department should explore wider use of …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of trade dialogues and states it already uses them to address market access barriers and engage with businesses at various levels, including ministerial dialogues, without committing to new methods like 'between the meeting' task and finish groups.
Department for Business and Trade
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8
Accepted
Step up engagement to encourage alignment in digital rules and support WTO e-commerce.
Recommendation
The Government should step up collaborative engagement to encourage greater alignment and interoperability in digital rules, while maintaining strong multilateral commitments. In particular, the Government must continue to support the WTO e-commerce moratorium and the Joint Statement Initiative on e-commerce. …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the UK is a leading voice at the WTO, actively supports the e-commerce moratorium, and has played a leading role in the E-Commerce Joint Initiative, having joined the resulting agreement in July 2024.
Department for Business and Trade
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11
Accepted
Provide long-term policy certainty to businesses for greater trade with Asia.
Recommendation
The Committee, therefore, calls on the Government to provide long-term policy certainty to businesses navigating rising geo-political and regulatory complexity across the region to enable them to take up the opportunities that greater trade with Asia. It must also continue …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its Industrial Strategy provides long-term certainty and stability, and its Trade Strategy outlines policy priorities, committing to continue engagement with Asian partners. This indicates existing frameworks address the committee's call.
Department for Business and Trade
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12
Accepted
Embed UK in Asia's regional growth corridors through regular ministerial attendance at events.
Recommendation
The Government should look to incorporate regular ministerial and official attendance at key events in Asian economic centres, such as GIFT City in India, where UK exports have the most potential to grow. Diplomatic trade policy should move beyond a …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that Ministers have already engaged extensively across Asia and will continue to do so, highlighting CPTPP membership and ASEAN partnership as ways it is embedding itself in key markets. It also confirms its trade policy goes beyond a solely export-driven model.
Department for Business and Trade
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13
Accepted
Invest properly in tailored trade resources and realign DBT staff for Asian markets.
Recommendation
We agree with Douglas Alexander that the Government’s trade-focused resource must be matched to the potential of the export opportunities around the world. The Government must, therefore, invest properly in trade resources that are tailored to the needs of each …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is already prioritizing support for businesses in high-opportunity markets and is reviewing the size and shape of its overseas network, informed by analysis from the Global Trade Outlook 2025, to ensure resources are focused on strategic priorities.
Department for Business and Trade
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Conclusions (1)
10
Conclusion
Accepted
The UK’s reputation as a reliable and constructive partner makes it well-placed to navigate Asia’s evolving trade landscape. However, the Committee heard that seizing these opportunities will require a more embedded and consistent approach, underpinned by policy certainty and sustained political engagement at the highest levels. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63)
Government Response Summary
The government stated its continued investment in building deep expertise and contacts in Asia-Pacific markets as part of the Global Trade Outlook 2025, aiming to deliver growth, aligning with the committee's observation on the need for a more embedded and consistent approach.