The government has issued its first strategic steer to the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), setting out plans to make the UK’s trade defence regime simpler, faster and more responsive to the
needs of domestic producers.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the new direction delivers a key commitment in the UK’s Trade Strategy and is designed to give manufacturers — from major steel and ceramics producers to small and medium-sized firms — a clearer path to challenge unfair trade practices.
Under the reforms, the TRA will streamline investigations, provide more hands-on support to businesses, and deploy a new Import Monitoring Tool that flags emerging risks in trade flows. Officials say the changes will reduce administrative burdens and speed up decisions when harmful trade behaviour is identified.
The TRA’s Advisory Service, launched in July, already offers tailored guidance on navigating complex trade rules, scanning for potential threats, and supplying data and research to help companies prepare robust applications. The strengthened remit will ensure consistent support throughout each case.
In a further step, the TRA has now published an import monitoring analysis tool to help identify patterns that may merit deeper investigation. The authority will work closely with firms to interpret the data and assess the potential impact on UK industries.
New powers will also bring the UK’s trade remedies in line with international counterparts, giving the TRA more discretion to impose higher duties in certain circumstances and to initiate cases under World Trade Organization rules.
The government says the reforms will help safeguard jobs and investment, strengthen the UK’s competitive position and ensure that businesses can operate on a level playing field in global markets.
Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: “We are strengthening the UK’s system for tackling unfair trade to give our producers and manufacturers – especially SMEs who have less capacity and capability– the backing they need to grow and compete.
“By streamlining processes and aligning our framework with international peers, we are ensuring UK industry has the tools to protect jobs, attract investment and thrive in a changing global economy.”
The latest Finance Bill introduces changes to make the UK’s trade remedies system more flexible and aligned with international peers like the EU and Australia.
These reforms will give the Government more options - within WTO rules - when setting duty levels or starting new cases. This means decisions can be made in a way that better supports UK businesses.
The TRA’s Co-Chief Executives Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez said: “We welcome the government’s strategic steer, which marks a significant milestone in our shared goal to make the UK’s trade remedies regime more agile, accessible and assertive, as well as providing greater accountability.
“Further to our work to date, including the recently launched Trade Remedies Advisory Service and the Import Trends Monitor, we will continue to focus on delivering more efficiently and effectively on our mission to defend the UK economic interests against unfair international trade practices.”
Industry voices across all sectors have welcomed the reforms as a vital step in making the trade remedies system faster and easier to navigate.
Rob Flello, Ceramics UK said: “We are delighted that the Business Secretary has listened to us as the voice of UK ceramics manufacturers and made the system more responsive and easier to navigate.
“At a time when the highest quality products made in Britain are under threat like never before from unfair dumping and other sharp practices by overseas competitors, this is very welcome news.”