Behind the Tariff Wall: Understanding Trade Barriers

This blog is part of our ‘Beginner’s Guide’ series; insightful, accessible explainers of all things trade. The author of this instalment is Pinar Gunes, an Assistant Professor in Trade and CITP researcher at the University of Sussex.  In this piece, Pinar analyses how trade barriers shape the global landscape, and explains why understanding their role in international trade is key right now. If you wish to deepen your knowledge on trade policy, check out the CITP’s Online Diploma in International Trade Policy. In recent years, trade barriers have moved from niche economic discussions to the centre of political debate and daily headlines. While tariffs have become the most visible and contentious symbols of this shift, they are only one part of a much larger and more complex story. Today, trade barriers encompass everything from digital data restrictions and service-sector regulations to quotas, licensing rules, and environmental standards. This resurgence marks a significant shift away from the decades-long trend toward trade liberalisation and signals not just a change in economic strategy, but a deeper evolution in how countries interact in today’s world. Understanding this broader landscape is therefore essential. It matters not only for those seeking to understand the future of global trade, [...]

By |2026-06-10T14:42:23+01:0010 June 2026|Begginer's Guides, Blog, International Trade|0 Comments
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Fertiliser Trade and the Strait of Hormuz’ Blockade: How does it impact UK food security?

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to international shipping. An average of 129 ships travelled through the Strait during February. This number dramatically dropped to 4 by the beginning of March. Despite positive signals from President Trump that a peaceful resolution to reopen this vital shipping route might be imminent, it is likely that the effects of disruption will last for several months even when the Strait reopens. This blog argues that the disruption to international shipping has consequences for the UK beyond its impact on rising energy prices. The blockade also affects UK food security by disrupting fertiliser trade. One way to address such problems for the future is by incorporating more comprehensive export restrictions rules and sustainable food systems chapters into the UK’s new free trade agreements. The UK also has an opportunity to show global leadership by building a consensus among countries to limit the use of export restrictions during the current crisis. In doing so, it can ease the impacts on vulnerable people in least-developed countries. The Gulf conflict restricts trade in fertilisers Fertilisers are a key input into global food production. They renew essential nutrients in the soil, like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and potassium, [...]

By |2026-05-27T07:16:54+01:0027 May 2026|Blog, International Trade|0 Comments
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How to future-proof UK-EU dynamic alignment

The UK and EU announced in May 2025 that they would start negotiations to bring aspects of UK food and energy regulation back to EU-alignment. After a period of silence on the UK side, some details are now starting to filter out. Among these, recent headlines report that the UK will introduce legislation later this year to bring this about, likely as part of the King’s Speech in May. While the detail remains unknown, these reports suggest that the UK will use secondary legislation to keep up with new EU rules in relevant areas (otherwise known as ‘dynamic alignment’). Keir Starmer has defended using this light-touch approach to Parliamentary scrutiny where necessary to further the national interest. This blog argues that it will weaken the durability and legitimacy of closer EU relations. A more sustainable path would be to provide mechanisms for consultation and scrutiny, ensuring that EU alignment is not simply at the whim of ministers. Entrenching the post-Brexit executive consolidation of power Brexit proponents have long argued that following Brussels is undemocratic. However, even though Brexit formally restored the UK’s parliamentary sovereignty, what happened next was a reduction in UK Parliamentary scrutiny and a concentration of executive power. [...]

By |2026-04-17T14:19:17+01:0017 April 2026|Blog, International Trade, UK- EU|0 Comments
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Why do countries trade?

This blog is part of our ‘Beginner’s Guide’ series; insightful, accessible explainers of all things trade. The author of this instalment is Pinar Gunes, an Assistant Professor in Trade and CITP researcher at the University of Sussex. In this piece, Pinar delves into how trade shapes economic growth and explains why understanding trade matters more than ever. If you wish to deepen your knowledge on trade policy, check out the CITP's Online Diploma in International Trade Policy.  International trade is often reduced to headlines about tariffs, deficits, and trade wars. It is frequently discussed as a political choice—something governments decide to allow or restrict. Yet beneath this political noise lies a fundamental force that has shaped the world for centuries—the desire to exchange goods and services with others for mutual benefit. Long before money, modern borders, or governments existed, people exchanged goods through barter: trading what they had for what they needed. Because no individual or community could produce everything on their own, exchange became a practical way to survive and prosper. Today, this exchange takes place across national borders on an unprecedented scale, creating a deeply interconnected global economy. Countries trade because they are different The most straightforward reason [...]

By |2026-04-08T08:58:24+01:008 April 2026|Begginer's Guides, Blog|0 Comments
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All roads lead to Geneva: Insights from MC14

From 26 March to the early hours of 30 March 2026, ministers from WTO Members met in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference. The goal was to review the past two years of negotiations and deliver outcomes on the MC14 agenda. Coined the Reform Ministerial, most discussions focused on the WTO's future amidst existing challenges and opportunities. And because it was held in an African country, the MC14 strongly emphasised development-related issues. However, the current geopolitical context affected expectations for MC14, resulting in broad and vague ministerial documents and declarations. WTO negotiations depend on what WTO Members can agree on by consensus. Conflicting interests and diverging interpretations of even cornerstone rules, such as the most-favoured-nation (MFN) principle, made significant progress difficult. MC 14 outcomes MC14 outcomes were reached in advance and only formalised in Yaoundé. WTO Members agreed to continue negotiating fisheries subsidies, with a goal to achieve a comprehensive Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS2) during MC15. Since AFS1 entered into force on 15 September 2025, Members have until September 2029 to adopt AFS2. Failure to do so will result in the current agreement being terminated (unless the General Council decides otherwise). Ministers also adopted two decisions on [...]

By |2026-03-31T14:30:54+01:0031 March 2026|Blog, International Trade|1 Comment
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Next steps for Europe-India trade

Long-term talk of deeper Europe-India trade ties is finally accelerating as the mutual value becomes more obvious. This results from common struggles with superpowers US and China, as well as the recognition that the world’s most populous country needs help with its growth and Europe wants to be part of that story. Nonetheless, UK and EU Free Trade Agreements with India are best seen as part of an ongoing process rather than the final outcome. These FTAs are shallow, and there are numerous headwinds such as very different views of the world. This means all governments concerned will need to work hard to see significant economic benefits. The UK-India FTA is expected to come into force this year, with the EU-India equivalent probably at least a year behind. In both cases, their conclusion is still ahead of hopes, since negotiations only really began in 2022, even if building on previously suspended efforts. For India, the economic slowdown during COVID-19 provided an impetus. For the EU and the UK, a large Indian market behind tariff walls was incentive enough. However, it was the turbulence of Trump’s tariffs that provided the extra push to the conclusion. Details of the EU-India FTA are [...]

By , |2026-03-06T15:08:57+00:006 March 2026|Blog, International Trade|0 Comments
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Free Trade with MERCOSUR: An attractive opportunity for the UK?

After a negotiation process characterised by long periods of stagnations and disagreements[1], on the 17th of January, a Partnership Agreement was signed between the European Union and the four founding members of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR, as known in Spanish): Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay[2]. This free trade agreement is meant to eliminate tariffs on 91% of EU exports to the South American bloc. This will be done over a 15-year phase-in period, paired with the removal of duties on 92% of MERCOSUR goods sold to the EU, within a 10-year timeframe. There is uncertainty regarding the ratification and implementation of this deal, due to a recent decision by the European Parliament to refer the agreement to the EU Court of Justice. Nevertheless, the economic size of the parties involved (estimated at 18% of the world’s GDP), along with the current context in which traditional large trading partners are becoming less reliable, has generated global interest. Such deal could constitute an example for other economies seeking to secure free trade with like-minded partners. It would allow them to diversify their trade portfolio and diminish their dependence on potentially problematic counterparts. If the deal goes ahead, EU exporters will secure [...]

By |2026-03-03T15:21:34+00:003 March 2026|Blog, International Trade, UK - Non EU|0 Comments
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Alignment with limits and safeguards: EFRA’s key recommendations for a UK-EU SPS Agreement

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) has recently published a report responding to the political commitment made at the May 2025 UK–EU Summit to negotiate a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, with an ambition to conclude negotiations by early 2027. Entitled ‘UK–EU agritrade: making an SPS agreement work’, the report sets out recommendations aimed at ensuring that any future SPS framework is economically beneficial, constitutionally accountable and operationally workable. At its core, the report accepts the economic case for closer regulatory cooperation with the European Union. It recognises the potential benefits of reducing border friction, supporting supply chain resilience and strengthening food security. However, it does not endorse alignment without qualification. Rather, the Committee advances what might be described as an approach of alignment, with limits and safeguards: supporting the negotiation of a common SPS area while seeking targeted exemptions in sensitive areas; calling for robust parliamentary oversight; and insisting on mechanisms to ensure that UK scientific evidence and domestic policy choices are properly reflected in future regulatory developments. Crucially, as a precondition for achieving these safeguards, the Committee urges that the scope of the negotiations is clearly defined and published at an early [...]

By |2026-02-20T17:06:11+00:0020 February 2026|Blog, UK- EU|0 Comments
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Why does the India-EU FTA matter?

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) hailed as the “mother of all deals” by both the EU and India, has been under negotiation since 2007. Since the text of the agreement is not available yet to fully verify this claim, it is worth evaluating what can be gleaned about the agreement from the documents released by both sides so far (the EU and India). The Highlights Goods The biggest immediate gain for both sides appear to be on goods, and both parties’ statements focus on these. The coverage appears significant. The FTA reduces tariffs on textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, chemicals, sports goods, toys, gems, and jewellery by India. For the EU, the gains lie in industrial goods, precision machinery, electrical equipment, aviation components, medical devices and other advanced tech. Beyond that, India reducing the high tariffs on cars (although subject to TRQ) is a significant win for the EU. Removing tariffs on chocolate and olive oil altogether, reducing tariffs on wine and spirits, and apples and pears is the cherry on top for the EU’s agriculture sector. Both sides targeted the low hanging fruits and pushed liberalisation of the more controversial goods for further down the road. Sensitive agricultural products [...]

By , |2026-02-18T14:27:39+00:0018 February 2026|Blog, International Trade|0 Comments
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A beginner’s guide to economic security: What it means for trade

This blog is part of our ‘Beginner’s Guide’ series; insightful, accessible explainers of all things trade. The author of this instalment is Minako Morita-Jaeger, a Senior Research Fellow in International Trade and a Research Fellow of the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy (CITP) at the University of Sussex. In this piece, Minako explores the concept of economic security, highlighting how it has became a strategic tool of power whilst offering a way forward. If you wish to deepen your knowledge on trade policy, check out the CITP’s Online Diploma in International Trade Policy.  The return of President Trump to the White House has brought renewed attention to the relationship between trade and national security. This situation raises questions about how governments should respond to increasing pressure to protect economic security while upholding an open and rules-based trading system. What is economic security? The concept of economic security has evolved over the years, reflecting shifting global and domestic circumstances since the end of World War II. Different governments frame economic security risks and threats in various ways, which means there is no universally accepted definition. However, in terms of values, it broadly refers to the absence of a threat of severe deprivation [...]

By |2026-05-06T09:15:50+01:007 January 2026|Begginer's Guides, Blog, International Trade|0 Comments
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