International trade

All Standard Notes
18 Documents
DateDescription
24.04.2012UK-Brazil trade statistics
This short note looks at the available UK/Brazil trade statistics
12.04.2012UK Balance of Trade: Economic Indicators page
The overall monthly deficit on goods and services combined in February was £3.4bn, widening from £2.5bn in January.
13.03.2012UK Trade statistics
This note looks at UK trade and provides a summary of the key statistics behind the UK's Balance of Trade.
12.03.2012FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI)
This note defines FDI, recent trends in FDI for the world and the UK, prospects for FDI flows, and investment promotion in the UK.
27.01.2012An economic introduction to China
This standard note provides an introduction to the Chinese economy (including trade with the UK) : statistics and key issues
19.01.2012UK/India trade statistics
This short note looks at UK/India trade statistics and was prepared for the Westminster Hall Private Members' Debate on UK-India trade on Wednesday 25 January 2012.
10.01.2012UK Arms Export Control Policy
This note provides an overview of the development of the UK's legal and regulatory framework for arms exports since 1997, including under the current Government. There was considerable controversy during 2011 in connection with UK arms exports to countries involved in the Arab Spring.
20.10.2011In brief: UK-EU economic relations - key statistics
Key figures on the UK's trade with the EU, its contributions to the EU Budget, and estimates of the wider economic costs and benefits of EU membership
20.10.2011Switzerland's relationship with the EU
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it has chosen to cooperate with the EU in a number of areas of specific interest.
17.03.2011Wreck Removal Convention Bill 2010-11
This note briefly describes the Wreck Removal Convention Bill 2010-11; a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Dr Th&eacuterèse Coffey MP. The Bill provides measures to enable the United Kingdom to ratify and implement the International Convention for the Removal of Wrecks. It would insert new sections and a Schedule into the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
17.01.2011Defence exports: Social Indicators page
Defence exports: Social Indicators page. By Allan Smith and Paul Bolton. SN/SG/2622.
19.10.2010G20 & the November 2010 Seoul summit
The G20 has met at leaders' level since November 2008. The second summit in 2010 takes place in Seoul in November. This note provides background to the G20, outcomes of summits so far, the agenda for Seoul, and the G8/G20 relationship.
05.07.2010Energy imports and exports
After spending most of the last 30 years as a net exporter of energy the UK became a net importer in 2004 and imports look set to increase in the future. This, alongside higher fuel prices, increased concern over the security of energy supply and a shortage of gas imports last winter, has increased the attention on energy imports and exports. This note gives historical statistics for the UK showing the volume and value of imports and exports of different types of fuel and energy overall. The source and destination of imports and exports are included for the latest year. It also includes some international comparisons of the import dependence of OECD countries and other major economies.
30.04.2010Global Economic Crisis & developing countries
This note was last published on 26 August 2009 and will not be updated. In the early stages of the financial crisis there were hopes that it would be largely contained within developed economies, with developing economies having 'decoupled' from them. These early hopes proved unfounded, with developing countries struck by declining trade, a loss of investor confidence and withdrawal of investment, a fall in the value of vital remittances, and much reduced growth and contraction in some cases. There are also fears that aid flows may suffer in the aftermath of the crisis. This note summarises key reports and statistics, with links to further resources.
13.03.2009Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU & African, Caribbean & Pacific countries
The European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have been renegotiating their relationship. A series of interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) were signed with a number of ACP countries towards the end of 2007, as well as a more comprehensive EPA with the Caribbean ACPs. This note updates with recent developments, and outlines some of the criticisms there have been of EPAs and the negotiations.
17.02.2009The UK-US Defence Trade Co-Operation Treaty
30.12.2008EU trade preferences for developing countries: the GSP & 'Everything But Arms'
The European Union offers developing countries unilateral preferential trading arrangements under its Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which is split into three parts: standard GSP, GSP+ and 'Everything But Arms'. A new GSP Regulation is to enter into force on 1 January 2009, running to the end of 2011. This note outlines the changes that have been made, providing a background and history to the GSP.
01.07.2008Sovereign Wealth Funds
This note summarises the background to and issues surrounding Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), which have received a great deal of political and media attention through the creation of China's fund and the large investments made by SWFs in various Western financial institutions during the global 'credit crunch'.
All Research Papers
5 Documents
DateDescription
12.03.2009Industry and Exports (Financial Support) Bill
This Bill would amend section 8(5) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 and section 1(1) of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. The Bill proposes to increase the total level of financial support to industry allowed under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. The Bill also proposes to widen support provided by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) to include exports that have already taken place.
02.05.2007An economic introduction to India
An economic introduction to India. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/40.
19.06.2006A Political and Economic Introduction to China
A Political and Economic Introduction to China. House of Commons Library Research Paper 06/36
05.07.2001Export Control Bill (Bill 5 of 2001-02)
Export Control Bill (Bill 5 of 2001/02). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/64.
15.12.1999Millennium trade talks and the battle in Seattle
Millennium trade talks and the battle in Seattle. House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/107.
All Select Committee Reports
10 Select Committee Reports
DateDescription
15.12.2011Government response to the ninth report from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on UK-Brazil relations....
Government response. Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons]
11.10.2011UK-Brazil relations.
Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons]
19.07.2011Trade and investment: China.
Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons]
29.03.2011Re-launching the single market.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
23.03.2010Exporting out of recession.
Government response. Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons]
12.01.2010Exporting out of recession.
Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons]
29.06.2009HMRC: the control and facilitation of imports.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
02.06.2009DFID and China.
Government response. Department for International Development; International Development Select Committee report [Commons]
03.03.2009The Export Credits Guarantee Department and sustainable development.
Government response. Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
02.03.2009DFID and China.
International Development Select Committee report [Commons]