The UK Government has kept up a busy international agenda this month - from continued support for Ukraine and efforts to calm tensions in the Middle East, to welcoming the US President on a high-profile visit to Scotland. Against this backdrop, some big moves on trade have made headlines.
UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed
The UK and India have officially signed their long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a world where protectionism is on the rise, this sends a clear signal that the UK is open for business.
India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a key partner for the UK. The FTA opens up new opportunities for companies in everything from tech and services to manufacturing, helping them grow, diversify and compete internationally.
The CBI will be working closely with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the UK Government to make sure the deal delivers real benefits for businesses - from clear guidance on how it will work in practice to support for exporters on the ground.
EU-US trade deal prevents tariff hike
A new EU-US trade deal has stopped a damaging tariff war in its tracks. The agreement means all EU exports - including pharmaceuticals, automotive and semiconductors - will face a 15% tariff, rather than much higher rates that were on the table. But steel, aluminium and copper are still excluded and will continue to be hit by 50% tariffs for now.
BusinessEurope, the EU business body, is calling for solutions for those sectors to put the relationship on a more stable footing.
The CBI is also in talks with the UK Government as it finalises the UK-US deal agreed back in May. We're pushing for clarity on how the UK and EU agreements with the US fit together - particularly when it comes to tricky areas like rules of origin - so businesses know exactly where they stand.
Get in touch with Sean McGuire, CBI Director, Europe and International, with any questions on what the latest international trade activities mean for your business.