A Huge Month Ahead for Global Trade and Geopolitics
It’s a pivotal few weeks on the global trade calendar: The G7 Summit, NATO Summit, and an EU Summit all land in June - just ahead of the 9 July expiry of the US 90-day pause on new trade measures. With tensions simmering across transatlantic and transpacific channels, leaders and negotiators face a critical window to shape outcomes and avert escalation.
EU-US Trade: Narrow Path to a Deal
EU officials return to Brussels this week following intensive talks in Washington aimed at preventing extra tariffs of up to 50% on EU exports.
The scope for agreement remains narrow. U.S. demands - from balanced goods trade to influence over EU digital and sustainability rules - clash with core EU regulatory sovereignty. Meanwhile, existing U.S. tariffs on autos and the baseline duty are unlikely to shift.
Brussels hopes for modest wins on technical barriers, steel, and a framework for AI export controls. In return, it may offer greater market access for US LNG and beef. Retaliatory options remain on the table, but there is limited appetite in the EU to escalate.
US-China Trade: Fragile Framework Agreed
US and Chinese negotiators have struck a framework deal to keep their trade truce on track - with China committing to lift restrictions on critical rare earth exports.
The agreement, reached in London, now awaits approval from Presidents Trump and Xi. Recent revisions to planned US port fees - reducing potential costs for foreign shippers - also helped ease tensions.
While progress has been made, both sides acknowledge that significant differences remain, and the priority now is to keep talking.
UK-China Relations: Economic Dialogue Revived
The UK and China will soon hold the 14th Joint Economic and Trade Committee, agreeing to deepen cooperation in sectors including digital, green, and financial services.
China reiterated its intent to further open its market to UK firms, while UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stressed Britain’s commitment to growing bilateral trade - particularly in services - and resolving differences through dialogue.
UK and EU: Holding the Line on China’s Trade Practices
The UK and EU presented a united front last week in Brussels, warning against unfair Chinese trade practices such as state subsidies and market barriers.
Speaking at the Brussels Economic Security Forum, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds vowed that Britain would “hold the line” alongside its allies to defend European industries from distortive practices.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič echoed the call, stressing that while the EU values its relationship with China, Beijing must address systemic issues - including overcapacity, critical minerals restrictions, and barriers to market access.
Šefčovič also raised concerns about China’s rare earth export curbs, which threaten European auto production, and pointed to escalating disputes over Chinese EV subsidies and new EU restrictions on Chinese medtech firms.
The coordinated messaging comes as the UK and EU seek to reassure Washington of their seriousness in tackling China’s nonmarket practices - part of a broader effort to temper transatlantic trade tensions.
In Focus: Countdown to July 9
With the 90-day pause in the U.S. trade war ending next month - and high-profile summits dominating the weeks ahead - the global trade landscape remains volatile. We’ll continue tracking developments closely.
Lookahead: Autumn trade delegations
techUK members are invited to join two trade delegations in September:
For more information on any of the above, please contact:
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.
techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities
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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.
