Secretary of State for International Trade
The Secretary of State for International Trade, also referred to as the International Trade Secretary, is a senior Minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom, and head of the Department for International Trade. The office forms part of the British Cabinet. Since it was created, the International Trade Secretary also holds the office of President of the Board of Trade in conjunction[1][2].
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for International Trade | |
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![]() Royal Arms of Her Majesty's Government | |
Department for International Trade | |
Style | International Trade Secretary (informal) The Right Honourable (UK and the Commonwealth) |
Status | Minister of the Crown |
Member of | Cabinet Privy Council Board of Trade |
Reports to | The Prime Minister |
Seat | Westminster |
Appointer | The Crown on advice of the Prime Minister |
Term length | At Her Majesty's Pleasure |
Formation | 13 July 2016 |
First holder | Liam Fox |
The current Secretary of State for International Trade is Liz Truss, MP since her appointment by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in February 2020.
Responsibilities
Corresponding to what is generally known as a commerce minister in many other countries, the International Trade Secretary's remit includes:
- Forming new international trade agreements
- Managing the development of freeports across Britain
- Maintaining current trade agreements with other countries
- Supporting British businesses with international trade[3]
History
The position was created by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May, shortly after she took office on 13 July 2016. The purpose behind this new role follows the result of the 2016 European Union membership referendum on 23 June 2016, in which 51.9% of voters voted in favour of leaving the European Union. Withdrawal from the European Union will require new trade agreements to be formed. The role's powers and much of its office were separated from the powerful Foreign Secretary role by May upon becoming Prime Minister. The post of Secretary of State for Leaving the EU was created on a similar basis, and the three roles initially shared staff and were required to coordinate closely. The inaugural holder was former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who was appointed on 13 July 2016.[4]
List of Secretaries of State for International Trade
Colour key (for political parties):
Conservative
Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Party | Ministry | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Right Honourable Liam Fox MP for North Somerset (born 1961) |
13 July 2016 |
24 July 2019 |
Conservative | May I | |
| May II | |||||
![]() |
The Right Honourable Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk (born 1975) |
24 July 2019 |
Incumbent | Conservative | Johnson I | |
Johnson II |
See also
- Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
- First Lord of Trade
- Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Secretary for Overseas Trade
- Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (position established concurrently)
References
- "Liam Fox ridiculed for being only member of new UK board of trade". The Guardian. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- "Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade". GOV.UK. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-international-trade
- "Liam Fox is appointed Secretary of State for International Trade". 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.