New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

The strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world while protecting vital industries from global threats and backing businesses to thrive. Read the full strategy here.

Hearing the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, comments live from the British Chambers Global Annual Conference, Chief Executive Carrie Sudbury reflects on the Government’s new trade strategy:

“The Government’s new trade strategy marks a positive step forward for British business. At Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, we welcome its focus on reducing barriers and creating global opportunities, particularly for SMEs, who are the backbone of our regional economy. Ensuring these businesses can compete and thrive internationally is essential for long-term prosperity.”

What does this mean for businesses in South Yorkshire?

£5m billion export support – Local firms in manufacturing, food, and digital can access new funding (Ricardo Fund) to help break into global markets.

Help for small businesses – The Small Export Builder gives SMEs easier access to finance and export insurance through UK Export Finance (UKEF).

Backing for key sectors – Supports fast-growing local industries like tech, green energy, and the creative sector, which match Barnsley & Rotherham’s growth plans.

Clean growth support – Businesses in green tech and sustainability can tap into new funding and global partnerships.

Exporting skills and services – Easier to sell education and professional services abroad with new rules on recognising UK qualifications.

New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business 

• Trade Strategy sets out how UK will unlock £5 billion for businesses and expand UKEF capacity to £80 billion, delivering growth as part of the Plan for Change  
• Trade defence toughened up with new and improved tools to better protect our vital industries from global threats  
• UK sets its sights on quicker deals that firms can benefit from sooner, with a strong focus on services and high growth sectors

The Trade Strategy Key Points 

• Unlocks billions of pounds worth of opportunities for UK exporters through the new Ricardo Fund, which will tackle complex regulatory issues, shape global standards, and remove obstacles for UK businesses selling abroad.  
• Expands UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s capacity by £20 billion to a total of £80 billion, announces a new Small Export Builder to give smaller firms better access to export protection insurance, and introduces improvements to help overseas buyers finance repeat orders from trusted UK suppliers in a more streamlined way.   
• Vows to bolster our trade defence toolkit and make our trade remedies system more agile, assertive, and accountable to guard British businesses against global turbulence and the growing threat of unfair trading practices.   
• Targets more mutual recognition of qualifications to boost the UK’s status as a services superpower – the 2nd biggest exporter of services in the world.  
• Builds on existing clean energy and green sector agreements with partners including Norway, Japan and South Korea and explores new, deeper cooperation with markets such as Brazil, the Philippines and Mexico.    
• Announces the UK will join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), a temporary arbitration arrangement for resolving appeals to WTO trade disputes, demonstrating our commitment to an effective rules-based international trading system.

To support businesses, the British Chamber of Commerce has published an in-depth explainer, which includes key information and issues to watch.

For more information about the UK’s Trade Strategy, get in touch with Louise Clarke at louise.clarke@brchamber.co.uk.

UK Trade Strategy – June 2025