Some changes to the UK’s trade remedies regime have come into force today and I wanted to set out what this could mean for how we carry out our work.
In the Finance Act 2022, the Government introduced new powers which allow the Secretary of State for International Trade to ‘call in’ reviews the TRA is carrying out for the UK into the forty-four trade remedy measures transitioned from the EU. If a transition review is called in, the Secretary of State will have wider discretion to determine the outcome than under the regime set out in Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018. The call-in powers also cover any reconsiderations that the TRA may be undertaking of reviews into transitioned measures. It does not, however, cover new investigations that the TRA initiates.
What will change and when
The changes come into force today, as explained in our statement on our website. This means that transition reviews which the TRA is currently carrying out can now be ‘called in’ by the Secretary of State for International Trade, although we anticipate that the powers will in practice be used rarely. After calling a case in, the Secretary of State will be responsible for all decisions relating to the case, with the TRA continuing to provide expert analysis and advice on the case. If a review or reconsideration is called in, the TRA will publish a notice on its public file to inform interested parties and registered participants.
Trade remedies framework review
The Department for International Trade is currently assessing whether the UK’s trade remedies framework meets fully the UK’s needs in a post-Covid world. A review of the framework is being carried on in close collaboration with the TRA, drawing on our expert advice.
If you would like further information on the change that has come into effect today, or to find out more about the work of the UK Trade Remedies Authority and how we are defending UK economic interests against unfair international trade practices, please contact us at contact@traderemedies.gov.uk and a member of the team will get in touch.
Regards,
Oliver Griffiths
Chief Executive, Trade Remedies Authority
