About this episode

The episode discusses the sustainability of the UK's globalist trade strategy amidst rising geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies.

As geopolitical tensions rise and protectionist policies re-emerge, the global trading environment is becoming increasingly fragmented. Against this backdrop, the UK government has maintained a globalist approach, seeking to balance its relationships with the US, EU and China. But how sustainable is that strategy in a more divided world? In this episode, Emma Rowland (IoD Trade Policy Advisor) and Marco Forgione (Director General of The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade) join host Ben Walker to assess the viability of balancing Britain’s major trading partners. Together, they explore the opportunities and trade-offs across priority markets, the case for - and risks of - closer regulatory alignment with the EU, and whether ideas such as dynamic alignment or cooperation among middle powers offer a workable path forward. They also consider if retaliatory tariffs should ever be part of the UK’s toolkit, and what practical steps businesses should take to navigate a more uncertain global trading landscape.

People in this episode

Host: Ben Walker

Guests: Emma Rowland, Marco Forgione

Topics covered

• UK trade policy
• geopolitical tensions
• global trading environment
• regulatory alignment
• trade opportunities
• retaliatory tariffs

Keywords

• UK trade
• geopolitics
• globalism
• EU alignment
• trade risks
• retaliatory tariffs
• international trade

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Institute of Directors, The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade

Places: UK, US, EU, China

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