May is looking to be a big month for international meetings, with the WTO General Council in Geneva looking to reinstate the e-commerce moratorium, following its lapse after MC14, as well as the UK-EU Reset Talks. You can read techUK’s full analysis of WTO MC14 on our website.
Ongoing talks since MC14 designed to break the deadlock between Brazil and the US, the very deadlock that led to the Moratorium lapsing, have not succeeded according to Politico. The fear is that this is a political battle between the heads of state of Brazil and the US, with ambassadors in Geneva feeling as thought it’s out of their hands. It’s unlikely therefore we’ll see what was lost at Yaoundé salvaged in Geneva.
In Geneva, the UK will continue pushing for a reinstatement of the E-Commerce Moratorium alongside other signatories of the Declaration on Interim Arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce. But given the low likelihood of the multilateral reinstatement of the moratorium, then it is likely the UK will pursue a plurilateral stopgap measure with likeminded countries and jurisdictions instead.
As for the UK-EU reset, signals UK Government as to what would be on the agenda have not been strong. However, Business Secretary Peter Kyle MP indicated a ‘landing zone’ had been reached for the talks in late June or early July when speaking to Politico about the Industrial Accelerator Act (more below on that), suggesting the UK’s place in such a scheme will be part of talks.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on both and will update members if any meaningful outcomes emerge.
Disquiet over Made in Europe
The European Union’s draft Industrial Accelerator Act has drawn ire from China and the UK.
The ‘Made in Europe’ rules, as they’ve become known, are designed to increase manufacturing as a share of EU GDP to 20% from 14.3% in 2025. The rules have drawn criticism from China for their provisions requiring partnerships with local European firms, the transfer of intellectual property to European firms and the prioritisation of European firms for procurement in strategic sectors, which the Chinese Government are calling ‘systematic discrimination. Beijing has promised retaliation if the law goes into effect without changes.
China isn’t the only country less than pleased with the legislation. Business Secretary Peter Kyle MP described the EU’s plans as a ‘waste of energy’ that would stunt business growth on the continent. There is a more open route for UK good to be considered as ‘Made in Europe’ under the regime and to receive other carveouts in the current legislation, with several EU countries keen to keep UK manufacturing close, but the legislation could change over the course of the next few months.
A New EU Trade Chief has Arrived
It has been announced that Sabine Weyand, Director General of the EU Commission’s Trade Department, will be reshuffled out of her role and into the Secretariat-General to be replaced by Ditte Juul Jørgensen, the Director General for Energy.
According to the FT, this comes after a breakdown in the relationship between Weyand and Commissioner for Trade Maroš ŠefÄoviÄ. It also follows Weyand’s clash with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, with Weyand contradicting her superior to say the trade deal struck with the US was not within WTO rules.
It is likely the new DG will know what is expected of them from ŠefÄoviÄ and von der Leyen, namely support for the Industrial Accelerator Act and for WTO Reform.
techUK Gives Oral Evidence to Parliament
Sabina Ciofu, techUK’s International Policy and Strategy Lead, was in London not once but twice to give oral evidence to Parliamentary committees on UK trade policy.
On 21 April, Sabina spoke to the House of Commons Business and Trade Select Committee on China and the UK Economy, and on 28 April spoke to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee on how the UK deploys trade instruments.
You can catch up with both evidence sessions on the Parliament website:
techUK will also be giving written evidence to the Inquiry on Trade Instruments. techUK members who wish to feed in should get in touch with [email protected].
The UK Investigates a Bazooka
The UK Government is examining whether to add a bazooka to its orchestra of trade instruments.
'The Bazooka’ is a colloquial term for the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, which sets out how the EU would forcefully respond to economic coercion through deterrent escalation. Measures which the EU could take include ‘…imposing duties on goods, restricting services, withdrawing protection from intellectual property and foreign investment and removing the right to apply for government contracts.’
On 9 April, the UK Government published a Call for Input on what its own bazooka could look like in legislation, including what it would cover and how it would operate legislatively. The need for such legislative powers has been supported by the British Chambers of Commerce, in a recent report, as an essential element of protecting the UK economy in a more dangerous world.
techUK will be responding to the Government consultation, members who want to feed in should get in touch with [email protected] to find out more.
DSIT Secretary of State speaks on the UK’s place in the world on AI
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, gave a speech at RUSI on 28 April outlining the Government’s view of the UK AI sector in the world.
Kendall’s speech argued AI adoption would be the currency of power in the modern age, and used the language of sovereignty to argue the UK should ‘reduce over dependencies and increase resilience.’ To do this, Kendall proposed government support for key parts of the UK’s AI Sector to ensure the UK is as indispensable in global supply chains as possible, and that the UK Government work with like-minded international partners to maximise the benefits of these global supply chains and to set common approaches and standards around AI.
We’ll have to see what this means in practice, but it could indicate what might be on the table at next round of UK-EU talks on resetting the relationship and could show the UK could be including in future negotiations more widely.
The meeting follows on from Hiroshima Accord signed in 2023, with the UK and Japan committing to deeper defence co-operation, including on the ‘Strategic Cyber Partnership’, and to co-operation on reform of the WTO.
techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities
techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.
Report: Next steps for UK-Ukraine cooperation in tech, trade and defence
techUK has published a new paper, Next steps for UK-Ukraine Cooperation in Tech, Trade and Defence, which sets out a practical agenda for deepening collaboration between the UK and Ukraine across defence-tech, innovation and digital trade.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.
With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.
A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.
She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.
Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Senior 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.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
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 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
We hope you enjoy the rest of the quieter Easter period before everything ramps up again. Once again, please get in touch w
Authors
Archie Breare
Policy Manager - Skills & Digital Economy, techUK
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
