International Trade
Technology is one of the UK's most important exporting sectors. UK tech companies sell software, digital services and connected products to customers around the world, but changing rules on data flows, standards and market access increasingly decide where they can compete and grow.
We help members take UK tech to the world. Through our International Policy and Trade programme, we shape the UK's trade and international regulatory priorities. We ensure UK’s trade policy fully serves the needs of the UK tech sector, as well as giving you the market insight, networks and connections to expand into new markets with confidence.

Open, trusted digital trade keeps the UK tech sector growing.
UK technology companies compete in a global market. Their success depends on moving data securely across borders, selling services without unnecessary barriers and operating under rules that are predictable and interoperable.
We work with the Department for Business, innovation, Science and Trade; the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; the Cabinet Office; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, partner governments and sister associations overseas to secure ambitious digital trade commitments, from free trade agreements to dedicated digital trade agreements. Through our work with international organisations such as the WTO, OECD, G7 and G20, members also have a voice where global tech rules are set.
Alongside policy, we help members turn trade agreements into commercial opportunity, through our fortnightly Market Access Brief, international delegations and country-focused tech forums covering India, Japan, China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Global Context
Global trade is being reshaped by geopolitics, economic security and regulatory divergence. Governments are using export controls, investment screening and digital regulation more actively, and multilateral progress is harder to secure: at the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference in 2026, members could not agree to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. For UK tech companies, this makes strong bilateral partnerships, practical market intelligence, and the agreement of ambitious and interoperable terms between countries willing to trade more important than ever.
UK Strategic Impact
Services make up more than 80% of UK GDP, and much of that activity is digitally enabled or delivered. New agreements, including UK accession to CPTPP and the UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 15 July 2026, open opportunities for UK tech in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. Closer to home, UK–EU digitally deliverable services trade is worth over $350bn a year. Securing strong digital trade rules, and helping companies of every size use them, is essential to UK growth and to the UK's standing as a trusted technology partner.
View the UK-EU Partnership Report
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Consumer Rights Working Group
This working group engages the government on legislation and regulations relating to consumer rights on behalf of members.
EU Policy Working Group
Facilitating discussions on key EU legislative developments that impact the tech sector and UK-EU trade flows.
International Technology Policy & Trade Group
The techUK International Tech Policy & Trade Group provides strategic direction for all techUK activities related to international trade.
Product Technical Policy and Standards Group
The Product Technical Policy and Standards Group is our forum on policy, standards and conformity in electrical safety and technical performance.
Trade and Customs Compliance Group
Our policy work forum on export controls, dual-use, defence exports, customs and the rules around international trade.
UK-APAC Tech Forum
Creating engagement opportunities with government and business to drive partnerships and expand commercial networks in the region
Our Subject Matter Experts

Sabina Ciofu
International Policy and Strategy Lead
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. She is a frequent traveler and a marathon runner.

Theo Maiziere
Policy Manager - EU
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. 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. 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. Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.

Archie Breare
Policy Manager - Trade
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.




