Trade Policy Advisory Group meeting: 8 July 2025
Summary of the Trade Policy Advisory Group meeting held in person on 8 July 2025.
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Attendees
Chair: Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.
Attendees included representatives from the following organisations:
- ACCA Cymru
- Cardiff University
- Chambers Wales
- FairTrade Wales
- Federation of Small Businesses Wales
- FUW
- Hybu Cig Cymru
- Make UK
- MediWales
- NFU Cymru
- Public Health Wales
- RDP Law
- Welsh Automotive Forum
Welcome and introductions
The Cabinet Secretary welcomed members and highlighted recent trade policy developments, including US tariffs, the new UK-India FTA, and the EU-UK summit outcomes.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised the importance of the Trade Policy Advisory Group to provide evidence-based responses from businesses directly impacted by these developments when advocating for Wales with the UK government.
Update on trade deals under negotiation by the UK government
The Welsh Government’s Director of International Relations and Trade provided an overview of the work to date regarding the UK government’s free trade agreements. It was highlighted that the Welsh Government is engaging with the UK government and inputting into discussions on international trade policy and trade negotiations.
The group discussed and provided opinions on the following matters:
- The UK government’s trade negotiations with several countries, including the GCC, Switzerland, Turkey, and South Korea and the progress being made with each negotiation.
- The US’s tariffs on steel, aluminium, and automotive products, leading to ongoing discussions for the implementation of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal and its impacts on Wales.
Discussion on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement summit
The UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 resulted in a Common Understanding Agreement covering areas such as a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and Youth Experience.
The group discussed the following matters:
- Members welcomed the SPS announcement and discussed the challenges ahead for alignment.
- Issues with border control, animal health, and deforestation regulations were highlighted by members.
- Members also discussed Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, conformity assessments and the extension of the UK's adequacy in EU GDPR.
Discussion on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
The UK government announced on 6 May 2025 that it had concluded negotiations with India on a UK-India FTA. Although negotiations have concluded, the FTA has not yet been officially signed, with UK and India negotiators still in discussions over some small but significant areas.
The group discussed the potential impact of the FTA on the steel industry and environmental impacts.
Closing remarks
The Cabinet Secretary thanked all the members for attending and reiterated that it’s vital to have these discussions directly with members to understand their views to help shape the Welsh Government’s trade policy positions.