There may be good arguments why we do not want to trade with a country or, at the least, putting barriers in place. We should certainly be sanctioning Russia, and there are good reasons to be wary about China. But these are not cost free choices.
Supporters of tariffs make a series of claims that are not only false, but are logically incompatible one with another. It doesn’t hold them back.
The public are weary of arguments about “dynamic alignment” and the minutiae of trade arrangements. There is growing concern about the direction of travel – what Labour says appears to be increasingly at odds with what it actually does and how it hurts the very people they claim to represent.
Indian nationals still received approximately 127,000 work visas, making them the largest group of work visa recipients by nationality. Regardless of our evolving trade relations, Indian nationals are already arriving in Britain in huge numbers, a fact that myopic press coverage of these FTA talks ignores.
Donald Trump’s economic agenda and tariffs has renewed debate over whether the West needs to rethink its blind faith in free trade. Let’s be clear: we do.
The question for the UK, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves attends the IMF meeting, should be how can it get hold of some of that reserve privilege, which would translate into lower government borrowing costs than otherwise possible, for Sterling?
These arguments were never easy to make, because it is human nature to start with our hunches and then reason backwards. That is especially true in our online, vibes-driven age.
As is already evident, the retreat from globalisation comes at a big economic cost and whatever the cause, the case for free markets and free trade is not being made by the party of Margaret Thatcher.
As the world closes up following Trump’s tariffs it would be a “real mistake” for the UK to impose reciprocal tariffs, says former chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
As the world hurtles towards mercantalist madness, the UK should stride unconditionally and without delay towards the opposite path of enlightenment.
The power struggles over tariff reform epitomised the internecine strife of the last years of the Unionist government. Balfour was neither unaware nor idle as the backbenches went to war with themselves, but his calls for restraint went unheeded.
The Conservative leader’s address to the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship in London yesterday.
This is not just about economics; it’s about sovereignty and security. Without a domestic supply, we are left at the mercy of other nations – some of whom do not share our interests or values.
By prioritising the Commonwealth, the UK can build stronger, more secure trade networks while reinforcing its leadership within this global community.
At Conservative Friends of India, we’ll keep championing these opportunities and making sure this deal delivers for businesses and communities across the UK.