UK-Israel trade agreement consultations

The UK Government has formally announced that it will open negotiations with Israel in 2022 with a view to further liberalising and expanding the scope of the current trade arrangements. In 2019 the UK and Israel entered into the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreements (UK-Israel TPA) which broadly replicated the existing agreement between the EU and Israel.

On 1 February 2022 the UK Department for International Trade (“DIT”) launched a consultation to seek written input from UK businesses, industry associations and interested stakeholders to provide it with an informed position for determining negotiation objectives and priority areas. The public response will be considered carefully and the consultation provides a platform for businesses and stakeholders to influence UK policy and decision makers.

The key areas of the proposed trade agreement with Israel that businesses are likely to have significant interest(s) in include:

• Tariffs on goods;
• Standards and regulation of goods and services;
• Access to services markets, including financial services;
• Government procurement; and
• Intellectual Property. 

Providing DIT with a clear, succinct and considered response to the consultation is an excellent opportunity to take an active role in the negotiation process. Identification of opportunities to increase bi-lateral trade through particular liberalisation measures or far reaching trading priorities provides a platform for engagement with DIT.

We continually work with clients with interests spanning both the UK and Israel across a range sectors to support them in formulating considered thinking on issues of trade policy, overseas investment and global legal strategy. Further, we have deep knowledge of UK negotiation processes and strong links to trade policy teams in Government. Note that in 2019 Associate Director Ursula Johnston was appointed by the UK Government to provide legal support during its negotiations with the EU and other trading partners including Australia. BCLP is perfectly placed to help your business draft a response to the consultation paper with a lens on:

• Identifying the legal and regulatory barriers that prevent efficient trading arrangements;
• Mapping exposure to UK-Israel trade risks and costs; and
• Contextualising the chapters of the proposed UK-Israel FTA relevant to your business.

If you would like a discussion on how BCLP can support your business through the consultation process please contact Chris or Ursula. Note that the consultation closes on 30 March 2022.