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Changes to the UK trade remedies system

The House of Commons is debating the Finance (No.2) Bill in a Committee of the Whole House on 12 and 13 January 2026. Several of the bill’s clauses would amend the UK’s trade remedies system, which provides measures to address harmful international trade practices. Such measures usually entail additional duties on imported goods and/or tariff rate quotas, setting quantitative limits on imports. The principal provisions are in clauses 107 and 108 of the bill (PDF).

The proposed amendments to the current trade remedies framework would give the Secretary of State (for Business and Trade) power to direct the initiation of investigations into unexpected import surges and unfair trade practices, covering distortionary foreign subsidies and goods sold at unfairly low prices relative to their normal value (dumping).

Under the current framework, the independent Trade Remedies Authority assesses whether applications from UK industry meet the statutory thresholds to initiate an investigation; in certain circumstances, the Secretary of State may request initiation.

The change would shift some initiation decisions from the TRA’s application-based process to introduce broader ministerial discretion. The government expects to use its powers in a limited number of cases.

These proposals continue the trend set by the previous Conservative government to increase ministerial involvement in shaping trade remedies, which the government says is needed to make the system more flexible and responsive to global trade disruptions.

The changes will take effect once approved by Parliament through the usual bill process and further secondary legislation.