Call for input on potential powers to protect the UK from adverse economic pressure

As an open trading nation, the UK thrives on its connections with the world. International trade fuels economic growth in the UK, and creates significant benefits for businesses, workers, and consumers alike.

Recent years have seen the increased, or threatened, use of restrictions on trade and investment as well as the weaponisation of trade and economic dependencies for political leverage. Such measures undermine a free, fair and rules-based international order and undermines the functioning of, and confidence in, the rules-based multilateral trading system.

As set out in the Trade Strategy, the government is launching a 10-week call for input to seek views from all individuals and organisations (such as businesses, research and academic institutions, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and international institutions) that might have an interest in providing input on the development of potential new powers to respond to acts of adverse economic pressure against the UK.

The information gathered through this call for input will help inform the government’s decision on whether to proceed with the development of new powers to protect the UK from adverse economic pressure. It will also gather evidence on issues relevant to the design of any such new powers, should the government decide to proceed.

The call for input will close on Thursday 18 June 2026. We will not consider responses submitted via the online survey or by email after this date.

We strongly encourage that responses are made via the online Qualtrics form.

If you require an accessible version of this survey, contact economicpressure@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

If you cannot respond via the online form, you may send your response to economicpressure@businessandtrade.gov.uk. If you are responding by email, make it clear which question each comment relates to.

When responding, state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation, business, or representative body.