 Israel United Kingdom | |
| Type | Free Trade Agreement |
|---|---|
| Context | Trade agreement between Israel and the United Kingdom |
| Negotiators |
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| Parties | |
| Languages | |
The Israel–United Kingdom free trade agreement (IUKFTA) is a proposed free trade agreement which began negotiations on 20 July 2022. The trade agreement would be the third FTA to cover Israel–UK trade, and superseding the Israel–UK Trade Continuity Agreement, extending the deal to cover services and digital trade. Trade value between Israel and the United Kingdom was worth £6,881 million in 2022.
History
From 1 June 2000 until 30 December 2020, trade between Israel and the UK was governed by the Israel–European Union Association Agreement, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union. Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and Israel signed a continuity trade agreement on 18 February 2019, based on the EU free trade agreement; the agreement entered into force on 1 January 2021.
Negotiations
Israel and the United Kingdom formally launched negotiations for the new free trade agreement on 20 July 2022.
| Round | Dates | Location | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12–20 September 2022 | Jerusalem | |
| 2 | 9–17 March 2023 | London | |
| 3 | 23–27 July 2023 | Jerusalem | |
| 4 | 19–29 February 2024 | Virtual meeting | |
| 5 | 8–17 April 2024 | London |
The UK and Israel concluded the fourth round of negotiations on 29 February 2024.
The fifth round of negotiations highlighted that trade in services comprise around 80% of both the UK and Israel’s economies, yet services only make up just over one third of total trade between the two countries; officials blamed this on the current Israel–UK Trade Continuity agreement which only covers trade in goods. The trading relationship between the UK and Israel was valued at £6.4 billion, as of September 2023. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejected the notion that the threatened invasion of Rafah would affect negotiations on the UK–Israel Free Trade Agreement.
See also
- Israel–United Kingdom relations
- Free trade agreements of Israel
- Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom
- Foreign relations of Israel
- Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
References
- ^ Trevelyan, Anne-Marie (20 July 2022). "UK launches Israel talks to boost trade between services superpowers". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Smout, Alistair (20 July 2022). "Britain launches free trade talks with Israel". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- "UK trade agreements in effect". GOV.UK. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- "EU - Israel". World Trade Organization. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- Fox, Liam (18 February 2019). "UK and Israel sign trade continuity agreement". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- Odenheimer, Alisa (18 February 2019). "U.K to Sign Post-Brexit Trade Continuity Accord with Israel". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- Badenoch, Kemi (23 September 2022). "Trade Negotiations with Israel and Canada". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- Lord Johnson of Lainston (8 June 2023). "Trade Negotiations Update". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- Huddleston, Nigel (7 September 2023). "Business and Trade update on trade negotiations, smarter regulation and recent departmental activity". TheyWorkForYou. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Hands, Gregg (29 June 2023). "UK-Israel Free Trade Agreement: Fourth Round Negotiations". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Hands, Gregg (1 May 2024). "Israel Trade Negotiations Update". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- Harpin, Lee (1 May 2024). "Downing Street says no link between Israel trade negotiations and Gaza military action". Jewish News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
External links
Media related to Relations of Israel and the United Kingdom at Wikimedia Commons
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