Department for International Trade
The Department for International Trade (DIT)[1] was a department of the United Kingdom Government, from July 2016 to February 2023. It was responsible for striking and extending trade agreements between the United Kingdom and foreign countries, as well as for encouraging foreign investment and export trade.[2]
Department overview
14 July 2016
7 February 2023
Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, Whitehall, LONDON, SW1A 2DY
DIT's purpose was to develop, coordinate and deliver a new trade policy for the United Kingdom, including preparing for and then negotiating free trade agreements and market access deals with non-EU countries.
The final Secretary of State for International Trade, was Kemi Badenoch.[2] On 7 February 2023, the department was merged in a reshuffle with parts of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to form the new Department of Business and Trade. Badenoch became Secretary of State for Business and Trade.[3]
The department was scrutinised by the International Trade Select Committee.
Trade remedies[edit]
After Britain left the EU, the Trade Remedies Investigations Directorate (TRID) of the Department for International Trade was created to investigate whether new trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports. These remedies usually take the form of additional duties on those imports.[17]
Following Royal Assent of the Trade Act 2021[18] TRID became an independent arms-length body, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), on 1 June 2021.[19] The Authority is based in Reading.[20]