Date: Tuesday 30 June Time: 10:00 to 16:30 How should Greater Manchester respond to a rapidly changing global economy? As geopolitical shifts, trade dynamics, technological advances and sustainability pressures reshape where organisations invest and grow, this event explores what it means for regions like ours. As part of the Academy of International Business (AIB) 2026 Congress, Manchester Metropolitan University will bring together global experts, policymakers and business

The United States has proposed two new Section 301 tariffs: a forced-labour duty reaching sixty economies, and a separate 25% duty on Brazil. Alongside these, it has modified its Section 232 metals regime. We have published five analyses and explainers unpacking what these actions cover, whom they hit, and where the burden lands. Query these tariff actions directly via the Global Trade Alert MCP. Our MCP server lets your AI assistant ask about any Section 232 or Section 301 a

 Join us this June for an afternoon of networking and building connections with representatives from Saxony's and Greater Manchester's business communities. Over 60 representatives from the cities of Chemnitz, Leipzig and Dresden are visiting Manchester to build economic connections. 📅 Date: Monday 22 June 🕠 Time: 1pm - 3pm 📍 Location: Manchester Central Library Performance space, St Peters Square, City Centre, M2 5PD Speakers will be announced shortly. RSVP now t

Cyber threats are escalating. Talent is scarce. Greater Manchester businesses need a partner who moves fast, delivers reliably, and keeps them secure. $10T+projected annual cybercrime cost globally 4M+unfilled cybersecurity roles worldwide 40%Isoskills growth rate in 2024 State of the market Ransomware, AI-powered fraud, API exploits, and supply-chain attacks now target organisations of every size. Global cybercrime costs are on course to exceed $10 trillion annually — while

The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK is delighted to present "InBuyer 2026", the free online B2B matchmaking programme promoted by Promos Italia. InBuyer connects international buyers, importers, distributors, and trade operators with a carefully curated selection of verified Italian SMEs across a wide range of product sectors. All meetings take place online via a dedicated platform; no travel required, no registration fee. THE 2026 PROGRAMME InBuyer 20

UK manufacturers increased selling prices at their fastest pace in nearly four years during May, highlighting growing inflationary pressures across the industrial sector and raising concerns about the outlook for exporters and the wider economy. According to the latest S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), manufacturers are facing a sharp rise in costs linked to supply chain disruption, higher energy prices and ongoing geopolitical instability. Companies

India has warned that it could reconsider key tariff concessions granted to British exports under the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) if the UK proceeds with planned restrictions on steel imports, raising fresh uncertainty over one of Britain's most significant post-Brexit trade deals. The warning comes ahead of trade talks between UK Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, as both countries work towards implementing the agreement signed in 2

As the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) moves closer to implementation, compliance is becoming a major operational challenge for businesses trading commodities such as cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, rubber, cattle, and wood. At the centre of EUDR are two closely linked concepts: the Due Diligence System (DDS) and the Due Diligence Statement. While often confused, they serve very different purposes. The Due Diligence System is the internal process companies use to manage comp

As of 31 March 2026, HMRC has changed how British businesses track their imports and exports. The old system of paying for "MSS" or "CDS" data reports is gone. Now, every trader can access their full declaration history for free through the Government Gateway. While saving money on subscription fees is a win, this change comes with a clear message: HMRC expects you to be watching your own data. What has changed? The new service, "Get customs data for import and export declara

Most international trade still runs on emails, PDFs, and manual processes. It works. But it is slow, fragmented, and full of hidden risk. This session looks at what happens when trade is structured properly from the start. Not just the cost savings, but the new opportunities that open up when buyers, sellers, finance providers, and customs teams are working from the same digital record. You will hear from researchers, technology providers, and SMEs already making the shift. W

The European Union is preparing a major overhaul of its industrial sourcing strategy a move that could create significant opportunities for UK exporters across manufacturing, engineering and industrial supply chains. According to recent reports, Brussels is considering new rules that would require companies in strategic sectors to reduce reliance on single-country suppliers, particularly China. The proposals are part of a broader push to strengthen Europe’s economic security

The UK is on the verge of securing a landmark free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), marking one of Britain’s most significant post-Brexit trade developments to date. Negotiators from the UK and GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are reportedly close to finalising an agreement that could unlock billions in new trade opportunities for British businesses. For exporters, this is more than another diplomatic headline. It cou

A group of 19 members of the World Trade Organization, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, have agreed not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions such as streaming services, software downloads, and digital media. The move comes after WTO negotiations failed to renew a long-standing global moratorium on e-commerce tariffs during talks in Geneva. The agreement represents an attempt by major digital economies to preserve stabi

The ongoing escalation in the Middle East, centred on tensions involving Iran, the United States and regional actors, is now having a clear and growing impact on global trade. What initially appeared to be a regional geopolitical issue has developed into a wider disruption affecting energy markets, shipping routes and supply chains worldwide. At the centre of this disruption is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade routes. A large share of global oil a

State of the Market The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce confirms a persistent and measurable challenge: 81% of technical vacancies remain difficult to fill, with critical shortages in cloud engineering, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Since Brexit, an estimated 300,000 skilled EU technology professionals have left the UK labour market, creating a structural deficit that local recruitment pipelines have not yet recovered from. For organisations with active di

From 1 July 2026, the UK will introduce a new steel trade framework that tightens controls on tariff-free steel imports. While the policy is intended to support domestic steel production, it will also create clear cost, supply-chain and compliance implications for businesses that import steel or manufacture using steel products. This article explains what is changing, why it matters, and how UK importers can prepare. What is changing from 1 July 2026? The current UK steel saf

Global technology supply chains are facing fresh disruption following escalating tensions in the Middle East, with significant knock-on effects for circuit production and electronics manufacturing worldwide. Recent developments linked to Iran have impacted key petrochemical facilities that produce essential materials used in printed circuit boards (PCBs). These materials including copper foil, epoxy resins, and laminates form the backbone of modern electronics, powering every

If you’re completing the general list for an ATA Carnet application, it’s important to get the item descriptions formatted correctly. This guide focuses on electrical items. For all electrical goods, you should include a serial number in the description wherever possible. If an item does not have a serial number, you can enter “NSN” instead. Please be aware that if a serial number is not provided, you may be asked to complete a declaration confirming this. The Chamber cannot

When completing a UK Certificate of Origin, it is essential that the weight stated in Box 7 is provided in kilograms (Kg) We have recently seen applications submitted with weight entered in pounds (lbs). Unfortunately, this cannot be accepted and will result in the document being rejected for amendment, causing avoidable delays. Why Does This Matter? The Certificate of Origin is an internationally recognised trade document, and consistency in units of measurement is important