Trade Updates from the British Chambers of Commerce
This month's updates from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
► BCC Gives Evidence To Parliament On UK-India Trade Agreement: William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, gave evidence to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee on the UK-India trade agreement and benefits for business. Watch the session here.
► BCC Meets Co-CEO of Trade Remedies Authority (TRA): The BCC team met Carmen Suarez to discuss issues ranging from the steel safeguard duties policy post-June 2026, other duties on key imports, and engagement opportunities with the Network on the TRA's work.
► Briefing On UK-EU Negotiations On Erasmus+: William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, took part in a meeting with Cabinet Office and other government officials on the progress of negotiations for the UK to become an associate member of Erasmus+ in 2027 or 2028. This is the EU’s external programme for co-operation on skills, education, and exchanges.
► Meeting With DBT EU Unit Team: William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, had our regular catch up meeting with the EU Unit team at DBT on work being undertaken to liaise with the EU on our feedback on key policy areas affecting UK trade. These include the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and customs reforms.
► China-British Business Council Trade in Services Roundtable: William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, joined the China-British Business Council roundtable on trade in services, covering education and creative industries ahead of the next UK-China bilateral meetings on services trade growth.
► UK-EU Youth Mobility Negotiations: William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, received briefings from Cabinet Office and Home Office officials on progress toward a capped, reciprocal youth mobility scheme – a key BCC policy priority.
► UK-EU Negotiations: William then took part in government briefings on youth mobility discussions with the EU. The BCC continues to advocate for a balanced yet ambitious approach benefiting business and economic growth.
► House Of Lords Report On UK-EU Relations: The House of Lords European Affairs Committee published its report on UK-EU relations, featuring BCC evidence and testimony from William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, on business priorities for the negotiations.
► ICCUK Trade and Investment Committee: William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, joined the recent International Trade Week session ahead of next year’s WTO Ministerial Conference, focusing on maintaining free trade in services.
► Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Trade Talks: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) briefed the BCC on progress in UK-GCC trade negotiations, including potential procurement opportunities for UK companies once an agreement is concluded.
► ONS Trade data September 2025: September was a poor month for UK exports with a small decline in services and a drop in both EU and rest of the world goods exports. Read the BCC's comments and calls for Budget action on the latest trade data.
► BCC engages with Cabinet Office on EU negotiations: The mandate from the EU was confirmed for negotiations on Emissions Trading Scheme linkage between the UK and EU. Negotiations are underway. We were also briefed on the SPS strand of negotiations plus the decisions to be taken shortly following scoping discussions for Electricity Market reintegration between the UK and EU.
► Discussions with Germany and Japan Embassies on trade relationships: The BCC met with the trade and economic teams of two of our most significant trading partners, discussing a year of CPTPP for the UK with new colleagues in the Japan Embassy, and the prospects for the State Visit, Hamburg North Sea Summit, and other key events with the German Embassy.
► ONS Trade data September 2025: September was a poor month for UK exports with a small decline in services and a drop in both EU and rest of the world goods exports. Read the BCC's comments and calls for Budget action on the latest trade data.
► BCC engages with Cabinet Office on EU negotiations: The mandate from the EU was confirmed for negotiations on Emissions Trading Scheme linkage between the UK and EU. Negotiations are underway. We were also briefed on the SPS strand of negotiations plus the decisions to be taken shortly following scoping discussions for Electricity Market reintegration between the UK and EU.
► Discussions with Germany and Japan Embassies on trade relationships: The BCC met with the trade and economic teams of two of our most significant trading partners, discussing a year of CPTPP for the UK with new colleagues in the Japan Embassy, and the prospects for the State Visit, Hamburg North Sea Summit, and other key events with the German Embassy.