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
1
Acknowledged
Include robust, enforceable intellectual property chapters in all new and updated FTAs.
Recommendation
Asia-Pacific offers vast commercial potential for UK exports of both goods and services, but realising these opportunities for greater trade will depend on overcoming barriers through targeted regulatory diplomacy and sustained engagement through dialogues and trade frameworks. In particular, the …
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Government Response Summary
The government agreed on the importance of trade dialogues for achieving trade outcomes and described its ongoing engagement with Asia-Pacific partners to address market access and regulatory environments. However, it did not explicitly commit to including robust IP chapters in all new FTAs or to allocating specific resources for IP enforcement and promotion.
Department for Business and Trade
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3
Acknowledged
Maintain commitment to Global Combat Air Programme and provide longer-term funding for industry confidence.
Recommendation
The Government must continue its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme as a conduit to build further on good relations with Japan, a key partner in the region. By recognising the power of such partnerships, and exploring where these …
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Government Response Summary
The government reaffirms its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme and continued defence cooperation with Japan, highlighting ongoing annual steering panels. However, it only acknowledges the importance of stable funding without committing to the recommended longer-term funding cycles.
Department for Business and Trade
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5
Acknowledged
Confirm education as a priority sector within trade strategy to maximise export potential.
Recommendation
Education and higher education are critical export sectors in Asia-Pacific and strategic enablers of the best possible export environment in the region. The Government’s trade strategy should confirm that education is a priority sector and the Industrial Strategy Council should …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of education exports and is delivering through its International Education Strategy, having reappointed an education champion. It also notes that embassies have been instructed to consider deploying soft power, and a Soft Power Strategy is being developed, but does not specifically commit to a cross-Whitehall dialogue via the Industrial Strategy Council or a five-year business plan for universities.
Department for Business and Trade
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7
Acknowledged
Shift greater attention to joining open-ended digital agreements for faster market access.
Recommendation
As part of the new trade strategy, the Government should shift greater attention and resourcing toward joining open-ended digital agreements, such as DEPA, that better reflect the Indo-Pacific’s role as the engine of global digital growth, and offer faster, more …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its Trade Strategy intends to explore deepening digital trade cooperation and agreements, including exploring accession to DEPA if in the national interest, but is not yet in a position to confirm seeking accession.
Department for Business and Trade
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9
Acknowledged
Set out plan to promote liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services.
Recommendation
As part of its new trade strategy, the Government should clearly set out how it will promote the liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services, particularly in and to the fast-moving Asia-Pacific region. The strategy must be aligned with …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlined its general engagement with Asia-Pacific markets, including ministerial travel, CPTPP membership, and existing trade agreements, stating that its trade policy aims to generate UK growth through various levers. However, it did not specifically detail how it will promote environmental goods and services exports or align this with the UK's industrial strategy to address strategic dependencies as recommended.
Department for Business and Trade
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Conclusions (1)
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Asia is fast becoming a key market for digital trade, shaped by divergent data governance models and rapid technological transformation. While regulatory fragmentation poses challenges, it also creates a window for the UK to support greater alignment through trusted, collaborative partnerships. There is a clear opportunity to promote convergence—via CPTPP, …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of digital trade and states its Trade Strategy aims to explore deeper digital trade cooperation, including potentially acceding to DEPA and other agreements, while continuing to lead at the WTO. However, no firm commitments are made regarding new actions or accession.