In his 2020 “Greenwich Speech”, Boris Johnson opined: “We are re-emerging after decades of hibernation as a campaigner for global … Continue reading “Steel tariffs: “pork barrel politics” in action?”

Summary The UK government promotes international trade under the banner ‘Exporting is GREAT’. This is laudable, but the economic benefits … Continue reading “The importance of imports”

Responding to the news that Britain it to use its G7 presidency to press for reform of the World Trade … Continue reading “UK right to call for WTO reform, says IEA expert”

The progress that free trade and globalisation have achieved are coming under severe threat from the Covid-19 pandemic. There are … Continue reading “Now is not the time to go soft on globalisation (Part 1)”

Boris Johnson’s announcement that he is planning to rejig procurement rules to allow local authorities to support local businesses is … Continue reading “Boris Johnson goes to Preston”

…continued from Part 1   Regulatory barriers to trade The increase in regulatory barriers to trade started following the financial … Continue reading “Is protectionism making a comeback? (Part 2)”

There is no shortage of analysis, and certainly no shortage of polemic, on whether globalisation is a good thing. There … Continue reading “Is protectionism making a comeback? (Part 1)”

Free-market liberals will have shuddered at the news that European Commission officials have drawn up far-reaching plans for a new … Continue reading “The problem with European champions”

YES – says Shanker Singham, Head of the International Trade and Competition Unit, Institute of Economic Affairs When the UK … Continue reading “IEA debate: After Brexit, is it time to get the government out of agriculture, and embrace free trade and free markets?”