In the years that I have worked at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, 2025 stands out as the year where the global trading system has been the most challenged, with real domestic repercussions.
For an organisation which has also reached its 90th anniversary this year, the vital need of the support we provide shines clearer than ever.
So, sit back and let me remind you of a few key moments in 2025.
Liberated?
Soon after his inauguration, US president Donald Trump announced his plans to impose ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on all countries with trade barriers against the US from April - which he did on what he referred to as ‘Liberation Day’, 2 April.
The Chartered Institute quickly constructed a US tariffs support page and package. We were also engaging heavily with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) on support for businesses and understanding the ongoing negotiations with the US.
The key theme that we heard, again and again, from our members was this: even in the unlikely scenario that US tariffs were completely reversed, they would still now actively look at diverting their exports to other markets.
They were beginning to see the US as an unstable actor, as the realisation that trade policy could change at a moment’s notice sunk in.
The EU reset
It was apt timing that, amidst this chaos, May saw the first UK-EU Summit held in London, as part of the ‘UK-EU reset’.
This was the first joint leadership summit since the UK left the EU, and featured a significant moment for the trading community when it was announced both sides were working towards a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
The purpose of this agreement was so that: “the vast majority of movements of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the EU” can be undertaken without certificates or controls.
With EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds setting a target of 2027 for the conclusion of this agreement, we are working to advise the government on shaping it wisely.
E-Commerce commission wraps up
As we supported businesses dealing with tariff chaos, we were also wrapping up a project we had been chairing for two years – the E-Commerce Trade Commission.
The Chartered Institute had been working with both government and industry to drive forward small business participation in online trade.
We aimed to promote the benefits of e-commerce exporting and ease the way for more small businesses to engage, particularly through providing greater signposting of resources and putting forward a number of policy easing measures.
The second E-Commerce Week was held in June and, together with the Social Market Foundation, the Chartered Institute published the final policy paper.
Recommendations included the overhauling of export finance support to create measures more tailored to SMEs, increasing the number of trade officials stationed overseas, developing a customs friction mitigation plan, and more.
Many of these recommendations were addressed in measures announced in the Trade Strategy.
Strategies galore
From spring to summer, we saw a slew of government strategies released. The most interesting ones for the trading community were the ‘Trade Triangle’: the Industrial Strategy, the Trade Strategy and the Small Business Plan.
All three of these provide the vital underpinnings of both increased capacity to support SMEs with trading ambitions and a vision for the sectors in which the UK will be seeking to grow and increase exports.
The Chartered Institute has been pleased to drive forward the activity of the International Trade & Investment All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), as co-secretariat alongside NorthPoint Strategy.
The APPG is currently running an inquiry to explore how the above strategies relate to each other and how they can be effectively implemented to support SMEs across the UK’s nations and regions.
If you would like to respond to our survey on this, you can do so here.
Trade deals abound
Amidst the changes which have affected trading businesses negatively, there have certainly also been a number of moments for celebration this year.
Prime amongst these moments are a number of free trade agreements (FTA) the UK has completed, with the latest one being the UK-Republic of Korea’s enhanced agreement, concluded on 16 December.
I don’t expect this will come up as trivia in your Christmas cracker, but the other three are the Economic Prosperity Deal with the US, the UK-EU deal and the UK-India FTA.
Throughout the year, we’ve been pleased to have support from colleagues in DBT’s FTA utilisation team in guiding us through ongoing negotiations, and benefits of various trade deals. This has been especially important as we seek to translate benefits to our member community.
Most recently, I enjoyed welcoming David Johnstone, head of FTA utilisation at DBT, to talk to us at our Import Export Show 2025 about how small businesses can effectively utilise FTAs.
If you’re interested in attending our Import Export Show next year, register your interest here.
‘What’s Next?’
As we look to 2026, I reflect on the prime minister’s recent speech after the Autumn Budget.
One paragraph was particularly loaded with meaning:
“And so, for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions. We have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU. And we have to be grown up about that, to accept that this will require trade-offs.
“That applies to our trading relations right across the world. And, as you’ve seen already with this government, there are deals to be done, if you’re committed to building relationships.”
If 2025 was a year of managing chaos, I expect that 2026 will be a year of real pragmatism.
Thinking back on so many conversations across this past year, I think this is what the business community is desperately calling for, too.
As we step into 2026, the entire team at the Chartered Institute is ready to support international traders for whatever is thrown at them.
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