The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has unveiled a new strategy which it says is aimed at defending the UK from unfair trading practices while strengthening Britain’s position on the global stage in a “rapidly changing global trade environment”.

The new plan, called ‘Keeping Trade Fair’, details the body’s plans for the next three years, including a number of key objectives and benchmarks.

‘Flexibility’ 

TRA CEO Oliver Griffiths said the plan “sets out how we will ensure that we have the people and the systems in place to respond flexibly to an anticipated increase in demand for trade remedies.”

The TRA says that it is ready to handle a potentially significant increase in the number and complexity of cases in the coming years.

The body has recently launched investigations into imports of Suspension Poly(vinyl chloride) (SPVC)  from the US and chamois leather from China.

Example to others

The strategy includes a move toward involving more digital and AI tools in the body’s processes, and plans to set the standard for trade remedy investigations internationally, becoming an “exemplar” for others to follow.

This year, the TRA aims to unveil its Trade Remedies Service (TRS), “a high-quality digital experience” for external users.

Other goals include hitting key performance indicators on the amount of time each investigation or appeal takes, retaining staff and controlling financial expenditure.

Griffiths previously told the Guardian that it was ready to launch an investigation into China’s exports of electric vehicles, following the European Commission’s decision to do the same in February 2023.

‘Arm’s length’ body

The TRA is an independent body that operates at arm’s length from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

It was set up three years ago to handle the UK’s trade remedies operations following Brexit.

Common examples of trade remedies include anti-dumping investigations – where the TRA will examine whether imported goods are being sold at a low price and are damaging the UK market – and subsidiary investigations – where the TRA investigates whether imports that receive foreign government assistance are harming domestic industry.