Hello from the sky over the Atlantic, where I’m writing this newsletter from. Hope you are all doing well and that work is slowly winding down into December. Below is your latest rundown of global tech, trade, and regulatory developments.
No EU–UK Deal on SAFE Programme Participation
Negotiations between the EU and U.K. on British participation in the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence procurement scheme have collapsed this morning.
Talks stumbled over how much London should contribute to joint weapons procurement under the loans-for-weapons programme. The U.K. offered only “millions,” while the EU lowered its initial demand of €4.5–6.5 billion to a still-hefty €2 billion - but no compromise followed.
Timo Pesonen, head of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, informed EU ambassadors today that no deal is expected.
Meanwhile, the Commission is pursuing a similar agreement wi
CPTPP Enlargement
The 12-nation Indo-Pacific group approved Indonesia, the Philippines, the UAE and Uruguay to begin accession talks - a significant broadening of the bloc’s global reach.
The Uk Government strongly supports this rapid enlargement, particularly given that the U.K. lacks bilateral deals with all four potential entrants.
Indonesia alone - nearly 300 million people, half under 30, 5% annual growth - is poised to be a top 5 global economy by 2050.
By the numbers:
U.K. goods/services exports to Indonesia: +44.3% and +55.7% (year to June 2025)
U.K. goods/services exports to the Philippines: +49.3% and +50.7%
EU Launches Trade & Investment Dialogue with CPTPP States
The EU has formally launched a trade and investment dialogue with members of the CPTPP, following meetings in Melbourne this week.
Talks aim to deepen cooperation in:
digital trade (priority area)
trade diversification
trade & investment facilitation
supply chain resilience
global trade environment (incl. WTO reform)
Officials say digital trade is the most promising path toward a meaningful agreement. With all 12 CPTPP members and the EU supporting the stalled WTO e-commerce negotiations, this provides a ready baseline for any digital pact.
Combined, the EU and CPTPP represent:
32% of global GDP
37% of global trade
nearly 25% of WTO membership
The EU already has trade agreements with all but Malaysia, Brunei and Australia. EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met his Australian counterpart Don Farrell to revive stalled bilateral deal talks.
Digital Services Tax Quiet Update
The U.K. confirmed - quietly, in a budget annex - that the Digital Services Tax (DST) will remain in force. The DST applies a 2% levy on revenues of major digital platforms operating in the U.K.
The review of the DST, long promised, was published with little fanfare - but confirms no change to the tax for now.
U.K. to End De Minimis Import Duty Relief on Low-Value Goods
The U.K. will follow the U.S. and EU in abolishing de minimis import duty relief for low-value shipments.
Currently, goods under £135 enter the U.K. duty-free - a rule inherited from the EU’s €150 threshold.
The removal may not take full effect until March 2029, and the government has launched a consultation running until March 2026.
The consultation will examine:
data requirements
tariff application methods
potential administration fees
VAT collection changes
EU member states are already working to eliminate their own de minimis thresholds as early as next year.
If you got this far, thank you! One more of these coming your way before Christmas. In the meantime, have a great weekend and a happy start to December!
For more information on any of the above, please contact:
Sabina Ciofu
International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK
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.
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.
International Trade Conference 2026 | Time to Trade: Taking UK Tech to the World in 2026
On 3 March, we will bring together tech experts, policy makers, academics and thought leaders at techUK’s flagship International Policy & Trade Conference
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.
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.
International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK, techUK
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.
Join us on 16 March for techUK’s annual Policy Conference, bringing together senior leaders from government, regulators, industry and academia to discuss the key issues shaping UK tech.
