Trade Strategy has "missed the mark" and shows a Govt "cowering in the corner" - Lib Dems

EMBARGO: 22:30 Wednesday 25 June 2025

Responding to the Government's trade strategy announcement, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson and Deputy Leader, said:

“It's shocking that it's taken so long since Brexit for the country to have a proper trade strategy.

“After the Conservatives' terrible trade deals sold out our farmers, and at a time when Donald Trump’s senseless trade war is putting people’s jobs at risk, it’s more important than ever to give British businesses the tools they need to compete. This announcement appears to have missed the mark.

"Ministers are right to focus on strengthening trade defences, but the most obvious defence is a deeper and closer relationship with our biggest and closest neighbour through a bespoke UK-EU customs union, which would turbocharge the economy and bring in the billions needed to rebuild our public services and protect household budgets.

“Given the unpredictability of Trump, it's vital that we build an economic coalition of the willing with our European and Commonwealth allies. Instead, the Government looks set to continue its approach of cowering in the corner."

ENDS