Trade: our vision

4. Scotland’s role in UK Trade Policy

The Scottish Government has sought to engage constructively and in detail as the UK Government has developed its position in advance of, and during, discussions with specific future trading partners. We have also presented an evidence-based set of proposals, arguing for a clear and consistent role in the development of future trade arrangements. Our August 2018 discussion paper Scotland's Role in the Development of Future UK Trade Arrangements set out the Scottish Government's position on how Scotland should be involved in the process of agreeing trade policy and trade deals. Our responses to consultations or calls for input have considered the content of those deals – the what, how and why of Scotland's trade interests. The UK Government has not engaged fully on these proposals, nor shown any sign of trying to create trade policy that genuinely works for all communities, regions and nations in the UK. That approach has pushed the Scottish Government out of key decisions, despite the Scottish Government's expertise on Scotland's interests.

Responsibility for the regulation of international trade is reserved to the UK Parliament and Government, but the broad and increasing scope of modern trade agreements means that they often deal with, and merge, a range of reserved and devolved policy areas. International trade profoundly affects devolved policy areas and a wide range of non-devolved issues that affect the day-to-day lives of people in Scotland. The Scottish Government is also responsible for observing and implementing international obligations in devolved areas and these include some of the most contentious areas of trade such as agriculture and food standards. The UK Government should seek our agreement on priorities and the pursuit of its trade policy, as it can dramatically affect devolved policies, such as food standards. In current circumstances, and now that the direction of travel of the UK Government is clear, the Scottish Government's call for a comprehensive, formal role for devolved administrations and legislatures is even more important. This relationship needs good governance in line with our trade principles.