The Politics of Trade

Trade policy has become a major source of uncertainty, volatility and political risk; it is also struggling to adapt to some important changes in trade and technology. Against this backdrop, GC brought together experts, policymakers and practitioners to discuss and debate the key challenges. We shared experience and insight on mitigating risk, designing policy solutions and taking advantage of new opportunities.

The conference has seen contributions from policymakers, business leaders, investors, academics and trade unions. The discussions focused specifically on how technology and politics are changing patterns of trade, impacting on supply chain choices and creating new challenges for trade policy.

The discussions were facilitated by the GC leadership team, including myself, Lord Myners, Stephen Adams and Gregor Irwin.

Speakers included:

• Per Hilmersson, Deputy General Secretary, European Trade Confederation Union (ETUC)
   
• Veronica Roberts, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills
   
• Iana Dreyer, Founder and Editor, Borderlex
   
• Penelope Naas, Vice President, UPS
   
• Alice Ross, Editor of Trade Secrets, The Financial Times
   
• Cosmina Dorobantu, Deputy Director, The Alan Turing Institute
   
• Pascal Kerneis, Managing Director, European Services Forum
   
• Frank Heemskerk, Secretary General, European Round Table of Industry (ERT)
   
• Stefan Krawczyk, Associate General Counsel & Head Government Relations International, eBay
   
• Julian Braithwaite, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the UN and WTO, Geneva
   
• Emily Lydgate, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Sussex
   
• Victoria Nuland, Senior Counselor, Albright Stonebridge Group
   
• Gracia Marín Durán, Associate Professor in International Economic Law, University College London
   
• Graham Evans, Senior Counsel, Airbus
   
• Sam Lowe, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Reform