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INTERNATIONAL TRADE UPDATE GLOBAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 26

JUNE 2025: A SOLDOUT CELEBRATION OF GROWTH AND AMBITION

With over 600 delegates in attendance, this year’s Global Annual Conference brought together business leaders, policymakers and partners for a day of insight, challenge and connection.

It welcomed the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, to the main stage, alongside keynote speakers including; Andrew Bailey - Governor of the Bank of England, Kemi Badenoch MP - Leader of the Opposition, and Shevaun Haviland CBE - Director General of the BCC.

The agenda featured standout sessions on digital innovation, global trade, green growth, and the future of work – all under the theme ‘Where’s the Growth?’. Breakout discussions were packed, the energy was high, and the conversations were bold and forward-looking.

The UK Prime Minister unveiled the details of the Trade Strategy at the Conference—responding to an increasingly complex global trading environment and emphasised that it will work together with the UK’s recently published Industrial Strategy to drive economic growth across every part of the country.

1. Unlocking billions for businesses: The strategy aims to unlock £5 billion for UK businesses, providing significant growth opportunities. The Ricardo Fund is part of the UK’s new trade strategy aimed at supporting British businesses. It focuses on tackling complex regulatory issues, shaping global standards, and removing obstacles for UK exporters.

2. Expanding Export Finance: UK Export Finance (UKEF) capacity will be expanded by £20 billion, reaching a total of £80 billion, with new support for smaller firms.

3. Strengthening trade defences: The trade defence toolkit will be bolstered to protect British businesses from global threats and unfair trading practices.

4. Boosting services sector: There will be a focus on mutual recognition of qualifications to enhance the UK’s status as a leading exporter of services.

5. Promoting Green Growth:

The strategy includes building on clean energy agreements and exploring new cooperation with markets like Brazil, the Philippines, and Mexico.

These outcomes are designed to make the UK more connected globally and support economic growth.

View the published Trade Strategy here: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/uk-trade-strategy

Cbam Update

Executive Summary Background

Following the UK-EU Summit in May 2025

On May 19th, the UK and EU announced a “Common Understanding” that included, amongst other provisions, plans for closer cooperation on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This development has important implications for UK businesses trading with the EU. What does this mean for UK businesses?

• UK exporters of CBAM-covered goods (e.g. steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, electricity) will continue to be subject to EU CBAM requirements when exporting to the EU.

• The UK and EU have committed to explore mechanisms for mutual recognition of carbon pricing systems, which could reduce administrative burdens and avoid double carbon charges.

• This cooperation may lead to streamlined reporting, shared emissions data, and potential exemptions or adjustments for UK businesses that already comply with UK carbon pricing.

Why it matters

This agreement signals a more cooperative UK-EU climate trade relationship, potentially reducing friction for UK exporters and supporting the UK’s net zero goals. Businesses that act early will be better positioned to comply, compete, and lead in a lowcarbon global economy.

The announcement included an aspiration to move towards reciprocal exemptions of CBAM goods between EU and UK jurisdictions. However, there are significant hurdles to be navigated before alignment becomes possible and organisations trading CBAM goods between the UK and EU must still adhere to any interim regulatory environment until such time as reciprocal exemption becomes the norm.

If this is an area of concern for you or your business, Liverpool Chamber can help to connect you with experts in the area and take a CBAM Health Check!

Contact export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk for further information.

The Value Of International Trade Training Avoid Costly Mistakes

The need to acquire and update international trade skills to compete in a global world is essential.

The Chamber’s International Training team have a variety of courses, seminars and events which can be specifically tailored to suit your needs. We organise courses in order to equip you with the necessary knowledge to avoid mistakes and to grow your international business.

We cover a wide range of topics that are essential to businesses that trade overseas including; understanding and completing export & import documentation, customs declarations, letters of credit and other methods of payment, Incoterms and, of course, Special Procedures available to importers and exporters to waiver, suspend or drawback customs duties

Our speakers are ideally positioned to answer your specific questions.

Upcoming sessions include:

BCC Accredited Export Documentation and Import Procedures

Tues September 9th, 2025 | 09:30 - 15:30

Incoterms2020

Thurs October 9th, 2025 | 09:30 - 12:30

BCC Accredited Customs Procedures and Rules of Origin

Fri November 14th, 2025 | 09:30 - 15:30

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