Secretary of State for International Trade
The Secretary of State for International Trade, also referred to as the International Trade Secretary, was a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the business of the Department for International Trade and UK Export Finance.[1] The incumbent was a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. Since the office's inception, the incumbent has concurrently been appointed President of the Board of Trade.
| Secretary of State for International Trade | |
|---|---|
| Department for International Trade | |
| Style | International Trade Secretary (informal) The Right Honourable (UK and the Commonwealth) |
| Status | Secretary of state Minister of the Crown |
| Member of | Cabinet Privy Council Board of Trade |
| Reports to | The Prime Minister |
| Seat | Westminster |
| Appointer | The Crown on advice of the Prime Minister |
| Term length | At His Majesty's Pleasure |
| Formation | 13 July 2016 |
| First holder | Liam Fox |
| Abolished | 7 February 2023 |
The office holder worked alongside the other International Trade ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for international trade. The secretary of state is also scrutinised by the International Trade Select Committee.[2]
The final officeholder was Kemi Badenoch, following her appointment by Prime Minister Liz Truss in September 2022; she was subsequently reappointed by Rishi Sunak in October 2022.[3] In February 2023, the position was abolished, with its duties merging with those of the Business Secretary to become Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
Responsibilities edit
Corresponding to what is generally known as a commerce minister in many other countries, the international trade secretary's remit includes:
- Forming new free trade agreements for the United Kingdom
- Managing the development of freeports across Britain
- Maintaining current trade agreements with other countries
- Supporting British businesses with international trade[4]
History edit
The office was created by Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after she took office on 13 July 2016, following the 2016 EU referendum. The office's powers were taken from the trade functions of the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills,[5] which was recreated as the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy[6] as part of a wider government reorganisation.
While the office of Secretary of State for International Trade provided trade services in the post-EU-referendum period, other departments and offices continued to play a role, e.g. DEFRA provided services to the EU and beyond.[7]
List of secretaries of state edit
Colour key (for political parties):
Conservative
| Secretary of State | Term of office | Party | Ministry | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Fox[8] MP for North Somerset | 13 July 2016 | 24 July 2019 | Conservative | May I | ||
| | May II | |||||
| Liz Truss[9] MP for South West Norfolk | 24 July 2019 | 15 September 2021 | Conservative | Johnson I | ||
| Johnson II | ||||||
| Anne-Marie Trevelyan[10] MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed | 15 September 2021 | 6 September 2022 | Conservative | |||
| Kemi Badenoch[10] MP for Saffron Walden | 6 September 2022 | 7 February 2023 | Conservative | Truss | ||
| Sunak | ||||||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade". gov.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ "Committee to question Liz Truss on work of her Department". parliament.uk. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
The International Trade Committee will meet on Wednesday 4 November, to take virtual evidence from the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP.
- ^ "UK Prime Minister twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade". gov.uk.
- ^ The Secretaries of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for International Trade and for Exiting the European Union and the Transfer of Functions (Education and Skills) Order 2016 Article 9(1).
- ^ The Secretaries of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for International Trade and for Exiting the European Union and the Transfer of Functions (Education and Skills) Order 2016 Article 3.
- ^ Eustice, George. "Australia and New Zealand Trade Deals". Hansard. from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
External links edit
- Department for International Trade Official Website