14 May 2025
by Sabina Ciofu

Global Tech and Trade Policy Update


Greetings from Ottawa! I'm writing to you from the B7 Summit here in Canada, where I'll be speaking this Thursday on a panel exploring AI strategies across the G7 - all under this year’s theme of economic security. It’s a timely backdrop for what has been an incredibly active few weeks in global trade policy. Let’s take them in turn. 

A new chapter in UK-US trade ties 

The UK and US have signed a new Economic Prosperity Deal, which includes: 
- tariff reduction commitments to ease long-standing duties; 
- a platform for further negotiations on digital trade, critical minerals, and economic security. 
 
techUK CEO Julian David said: “A UK-US economic partnership grounded in technological cooperation can serve as the foundation for trusted data flows, regulatory cooperation, and resilient, innovation-led growth. At the heart of this must be a shared commitment to embedding emerging technologies - from AI to quantum - into the fabric of our economic relationship.”  
 
techUK has joined forces with our sister organization in the United States, the Information Technology Industry Council, to publish a joint statement outlining our view on how we can now build on this deal and develop something truly commercially meaningful. Full joint statement here.  

UK-India Free Trade Agreement concluded 

Also last week, the UK and India concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, marking a key milestone in UK trade policy. According to the UK government, this FTA will eliminate tariffs on 90% of UK goods exports to India and improve market access for services. 

However, the final legal text has not yet been published, and it may be several months before full details emerge. Once it is released, techUK will provide a comprehensive analysis for members. 

In the meantime, you can read the government announcement here: 
🔗 UK-India FTA Deal for Growth 

EU-UK Summit – London, 19 May 

Next Monday, London will host the long-anticipated EU-UK Summit, with some potentially important developments on the horizon. Leaders will discuss: 

  • A new security and defence pact. 

  • Deeper energy cooperation. 

  • A roadmap for resolving outstanding trade issues, including implementation of the Windsor Framework. 

EU leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Kaja Kallas will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 

Stay tuned – we’ll report back on any defence, tech and trade-related announcements. 

US-China reach temporary trade détente 

The United States and China have agreed to a 90-day tariff reduction deal, aimed at cooling rising trade tensions: 

  • The US will lower tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%. 

  • China will reduce duties from 125% to 10%. 

  • A new platform for trade dispute resolution has been established, co-chaired by China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. 

Spotlight: Santander Spring 2025 Trade Barometer 

Santander UK has released its Spring 2025 Trade Barometer, a twice-yearly survey of over 1,000 UK businesses. 

Key insights: 

  • Tariffs are a top concern: 80% of UK businesses looking to expand internationally cite tariffs as a major threat to growth. 

  • Digital trade gaps persist: Larger firms are twice as likely to invest in AI and cyber security than businesses with revenues under £10m. 

  • Shifting supply chains: 26% of businesses with supply chain ties to China are actively moving elsewhere. 

  • Regional divergence: 90% of London-based TMT businesses are optimistic about growth, compared to just 42% in Scotland. 

More details: 
🔗 Santander Trade Barometer Summary 

That’s all from me this week. If you’re at the B7 Summit, I look forward to seeing you in person. And as always, we’ll keep you posted on all the developments from London, Washington, Delhi, Brussels – and beyond! 


For more information on any of the above, please contact:

Sabina Ciofu

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.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+32 473 323 280
Website:
www.techuk.org

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Meet the team 

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Head of Market Access and Consumer Tech, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

 

Authors

Sabina Ciofu

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.

Read lessmore