The TRA's 2024-2027
ambitious plan sets out how the independent body operating at
arm's length from government, will build on its first three years
of operation since replacing the EU's trade defence instruments
after Brexit. It lays the foundations for the TRA to handle a
potentially significant increase in the number and complexity of
cases in the coming years.
TRA Chief Executive, Oliver Griffiths said the TRA is
ready to play a crucial role defending UK economic interests and
added:
“The TRA operates in a rapidly changing global trade environment,
with subsidies and protectionist measures on the rise. This plan
sets out how we will ensure that we have the people and the
systems in place to respond flexibly to an anticipated increase
in demand for trade remedies”.
The path to 2027 and the key elements of the
strategy:
-
Developing greater operational flexibility to the TRA can
efficiently manage fluctuations in its workload across
different types of anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard
cases. This builds on a major case strategy review that is
currently taking place.
-
Providing a transformed digital service that streamlines the
user experience for businesses and stakeholders engaging with
live investigations. This will be underpinned by new case
management and data capabilities.
-
Strengthening the TRA's workforce through skills development,
leadership programmes and secondment opportunities to ensure
expertise is retained with a promise to track performance
through its staff surveys.
-
Measuring the economic impact of trade remedy measures
imposed through import monitoring and evaluations of market
effects, with initial findings due to be delivered in
2024-2025.
-
Deepening engagement with domestic and international partners
to raise the TRA's profile and benchmark best practise
globally. A programme of stakeholder events and opportunities
are planned and forecasted.
Keeping trade fair
TRA Chair Nick Baird said the next phase would see the
organisation:“build on strong foundations to optimise
performance”. He added: “This plan ensures the TRA is configured
to play its essential role in upholding Britain's position as a
leading advocate for open trade”.
Notes to editors
- As an independent body operating at arm's length from the
Department for Business & Trade, the TRA is guided in its
work by its principles of proportionality, impartiality,
transparency and efficiency.
- The TRA welcomes applications for trade remedies
investigations from any business operating in the UK. Read our
online guidance
to find out more about how to apply and what information
to provide.