UK government views trade talks with Israel as essential for economic growth plan
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirms Israel on list of key countries for trade talks
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has announced the Government’s intention to restart trade talks – with Israel amongst the first countries on the list.
The new government is determined to spark economic growth and have confirmed their desire to restart trade talks with Israel, the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey.
The first round of trade talks under the new government are expected to take place during the autumn.
Confirming that Israel was one of the first countries he wished to engage in trade talks, Reynolds said:”Boosting trade abroad is essential to deliver a strong economy at home. That’s why I’ve wasted no time taking stock of progress and getting ready to press on with trade talks with our international partners.
“Our trade programme is ambitious and plays to the UK’s strengths to give British businesses access to some of the most exciting economies in the world.”Our teams will be entering negotiating rooms as soon as possible, laser-focused on creating new opportunities for UK firms so they can support jobs across the country and deliver the growth we desperately need.”
Jewish News understands that while the government intends to take a tougher stance towards Israel over concerns about international law breaches in Gaza, it also wants to be seen as doing more to boost connections with the Jewish state in other ways.
Restarting talks is the first step towards agreeing the high-quality trade deals the UK needs to give businesses access to international markets, boost jobs and deliver that growth.
With exports totalling £855 billion, the UK was the world’s 4th largest exporter in 2022.
High-quality British goods and services are admired globally and the Government is committed to using every lever available to help British businesses sell around the world.
The government said a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council would be a substantial economic opportunity, with at least £19 billion total already invested in each other’s economies as of 2021.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
