Joint Statement on UK-Illinois Trade: Huddleston – Pritzker Meeting

The Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston MP, was pleased to welcome the Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, to the United Kingdom today, 18 July. Both Minister Huddleston and Governor Pritzker are pleased to announce the intent to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen trade and economic development ties between the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois. Building upon the strong economic relationship between the UK and Illinois, the MoU will aim to remove market access barriers and increase trade and investment opportunities for UK and Illinois companies.

The UK and Illinois already enjoy substantial cooperation on trade and investment. Governor Pritzker’s trade mission to the UK demonstrates the shared commitment to fostering further relationships between the UK and Illinois, with engagement focusing on quantum, clean energy, innovation, science, advanced manufacturing, and technology. In the coming months, UK Government and business representatives will participate in major industry events in Illinois, including Tech Chicago Week, the Midwest Renewables and Energy Storage Forum, and Chicago Quantum week.

Minister Huddleston and Governor Pritzker are committed to boosting trade and investment in one another’s economies, and intend that the MOU will benefit all parts of the UK and Illinois.