14 Aug 2026
by Archie Breare

Global Tech & Trade Policy Update

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

techUK Trade Policy Delegations in September 

techUK is hosting several trade policy-focused delegations in September: 

We’ll be hosting our cyber-focused Brussels delegation from 8 - 9 September where members will have the chance to discuss the new EU Technology Sovereignty Package with the Commission, MEPs and European companies. At the same time, we’ll be bringing members to the Cardiff for the US-UK SME Dialogue on 9 September to discuss how the UK and US can work together to ease SME trade, to build connections across the Atlantic between businesses, and to raise any concerns around barriers to trade for SMEs. 

Finally, we’ll be in Geneva for the WTO Public Forum from the 14 - 17 September, including the World Tech and Trade Day on 14 September. We’ll be having meetings with WTO officials, the UK mission and other critical stakeholders throughout our time in Geneva to discuss the future of global digital trade.  

You can register your company for one attendee for these delegations in the techUK website now, and hurry because places are limited. You can also find the rest of the delegations techUK is hosting on our website.

New EU Minister discusses deeper relationship with the EU 

Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, has given an interview in the Guardian talking about his ambitions for a deeper relationship with the EU, particularly on services. 

Falconer has said services trade, including improving business mobility and mutual qualification recognition, is meant to be part of ‘…a deeper relationship, a more ambitious relationship with the EU.’   

The report also suggests the next EU-UK Summit will take place in October. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this, particularly with the launch of our report Towards a UK–EU Partnership for a New Age’ on 10 September in Brussels.

Scottish Government’s ‘Trade in Services Report’ aligns with techUK asks 

The Scottish Government’s report on ‘Trade in Services’ was published on 5 August, and reflects much of techUK’s analysis of the state of digital services trade. 

The report outlined that services trade is a huge part of the current trade balance for Scotland and that government needed to work on problem solving to ensure firms, particularly SMEs, could overcome barriers to exports that are preventing entry into markets abroad.  This chimes well with the analysis in our ‘Spreading Wings’ report from earlier this year. 

We will publish a full insight on the report soon but we hope the Scottish Government keep up momentum and develop internal trade expertise to help Scottish businesses export.

US states sue Administration over tariffs 

25 US states have taken legal action against the Section 301 tariffs implemented by the US Administration, following the striking down of a series of tariffs by the Supreme Court in February.  

The tariffs are directed at 60 US trading partners on the basis that these partners are not doing enough to combat forced labour in their supply chains. The states are suing the Administration on the basis that these are a replacement for the tariffs that were struck down. 

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing between the US and Canada on a tariff deal. These come ahead of the 19 August deadline set by the US Administration for a 50% levy on a large number of Canadian goods alongside existing tariffs. 

China restrictions on due diligence organisations 

China’s government has prohibited Chinese organisations and individuals from dealing with six US organisations, including due diligence organisations such as the Responsible Business Alliance, Altana and Verité. These are framed as a response to US measures against Chinese companies “under the pretext of so-called forced labour”.  

The measures create a great deal of uncertainty on how Chinese companies will participate in foreign due-diligence reporting, potentially causing issues for companies in the EU, UK and US.  

Members can get involved with techUK’s supply chain work through our Responsible Business Conduct Group.


Archie Breare

Archie Breare

Policy Manager - Trade, techUK

Tess Newton

Junior Policy Manager, techUK


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Nimmi Patel

Nimmi Patel

Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy, techUK

Doniya Soni-Clark

Doniya Soni-Clark

Associate Director of External Affairs, techUK

Tom McGee

Tom McGee

Associate Director, Digital Economy, techUK

Dan Johnston

Dan Johnston

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Edward Emerson

Edward Emerson

Head of Digital Economy, techUK

Samiah Anderson

Samiah Anderson

Head of Digital Regulation, techUK

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Jake Wall

Jake Wall

Policy Manager, Skills and Future of Work, techUK

Daniella Bennett Remington

Daniella Bennett Remington

Policy Manager - Data and AI, techUK

Luke Newcombe

Luke Newcombe

Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK

Stephanie Barr

Stephanie Barr

Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK

Oliver Alderson

Oliver Alderson

Public Affairs Manager, techUK

Tess Newton

Junior Policy Manager, techUK

 

 

Authors

Archie Breare

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.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/archie-breare-512346230

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