Following a week of high-profile meetings, including Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis' visit to Washington and President Trump's encounter with European leaders in Rome, transatlantic trade ties may be entering calmer waters.
The US administration has recently floated the idea of a potential "deal" with the EU to avert the full force of its new "reciprocal" tariffs, initially announced in April but delayed until July.
As the US economy grapples with market volatility triggered by the new tariff regime, early signs suggest a more structured dialogue between Brussels and Washington could be on the horizon.
India’s Global Trade Push: Brussels, London, Oslo
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is intensifying his international engagement, with a packed schedule this week including visits to Brussels, London, and Oslo.
In Brussels, Goyal met EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to assess progress on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Despite strong political will to wrap up talks by the end of 2025, negotiators on the ground remain cautious about the timeline.
Meanwhile, in London, Goyal has been pressing the UK government on carbon taxes. India is seeking exemptions or concessions on new carbon border adjustment measures being introduced in the UK. Goyal has warned that high carbon tariffs on steel, cement, and other industrial goods could severely impact India’s exports - particularly given India’s heavy reliance on coal for industrial production.
The issue is becoming central to India’s trade talks with Europe as well, as countries across the continent, including Norway, roll out similar carbon pricing schemes. Goyal’s discussions this week will focus on minimizing the impact of these new carbon costs on Indian exports, with broader implications for finalising trade deals with both the UK and the EU by the end of the year.
In Oslo, Goyal met with officials to continue raising carbon-related concerns as he prepares for the implementation phase of the EFTA-India FTA signed in 2024.
Hopes for a renewed US-UK trade agreement remain alive, but officials on both sides are urging caution. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden recently said that while an agreement is “possible,” nothing is guaranteed, and the priority remains securing a deal that serves the UK's long-term interests.
Talks have gained momentum following a meeting between UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during the IMF Spring Meetings. Discussions are focusing heavily on easing some of the steep tariffs that have lingered since the Trump administration - particularly the 25% duties on cars, steel, and aluminium - though officials accept that Trump’s 10% baseline tariffs are unlikely to be rolled back.
Chancellor Reeves emphasized the importance of building stronger partnerships in emerging fields like fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital assets, areas where she says the two sides have significant alignment.
UK-Turkey FTA: Progress Toward Modernisation
The UK and Turkey are moving closer to modernising their bilateral trade framework. Negotiators have successfully concluded a new chapter on Technical Barriers to Trade, aligning many provisions with the standards set out in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
This updated TBT chapter includes annexes on key sectors such as automotive and chemicals - areas critical to UK manufacturing and exports. Once formally signed and brought into force, the revised provisions are expected to offer UK businesses improved market access and reduced regulatory hurdles.
Formal negotiations to upgrade the overall UK-Turkey FTA are also progressing, with both sides preparing for a first full round of talks in the coming months.
UK Focus on Strategic Industries and Innovation
The UK government is ramping up efforts to strengthen its strategic industries amid a volatile global trade environment.
Science Minister Patrick Vallance has signed a memorandum of cooperation on quantum technologies with Japan, covering research collaboration, investment, security, and standards. This agreement aligns with the UK’s broader push to deepen innovation ties with allies and to maintain leadership in next-generation technologies like quantum computing.
Meanwhile, Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson was in Paris engaging French investors in infrastructure and creative industries, reflecting a broader strategy to attract capital into Britain's energy transition, digital, and rail sectors.
EU-UK Relations: Steadying the Post-Brexit Course
London hosted this week the EU-UK Joint Committee overseeing the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, including key elements of the Windsor Framework addressing Northern Ireland’s trade status.
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and his UK counterpart Nick Thomas-Symonds have co-chaired the talks. Šefčovič has also met with UK ministers Jonathan Reynolds, David Lammy, and Hilary Benn.
These discussions come just weeks ahead of the major EU-UK Summit scheduled for 19 May, which is expected to set the tone for future cooperation across trade, energy, security, and youth mobility.
Australia and Canada Elections: Trade Talks Back on Track?
This week’s elections in Australia and Canada could reset momentum for broader trade engagement with Europe and the UK.
In Australia, voters head to the polls on Saturday. Whichever party emerges victorious, there is renewed interest in reviving Australia-EU FTA talks, which stalled in 2023 over agricultural market access demands. Australia is also signaling greater interest in tightening economic ties with the UK and CPTPP partners, particularly as global tariff tensions continue to destabilise traditional trade routes.
Meanwhile, Canada also held federal elections this week, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals retaining power, although not with an outright majority. The Liberals have previously expressed strong interest in restarting trade talks with the UK. A more stable government in Ottawa would likely speed up discussions on modernising the UK-Canada trade relationship and deepening collaboration in sectors like critical minerals, clean technology, and digital trade.
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Sabina Ciofu
Associate Director – International, techUK
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
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Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the Local and General Election and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. As well as working for multiple charities on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from University of Nottingham.
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
