Interministerial Group for Trade communiqué: 8 January 2026
Published 27 January 2026
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The Interministerial Group (Trade) met on 8 January 2026 via video conference. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Trade, Sir Chris Bryant MP.
Attendees
The other ministers in attendance were as follows.
From the Scottish Government
Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business and Employment.
From the Welsh Government
Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning.
From the Northern Ireland Executive
Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy,
What was discussed
Ministers discussed the UK government’s current trade priorities and reflected on the Interministerial Group for Trade.
Ministers discussed:
- the UK’s free trade agreement (FTA) programme
- a review of the Interministerial Group for Trade
- the US Economic Prosperity Deal
Ministers agreed to reconvene quarterly.