Secretary of State for International Trade

Secretary of State
for International Trade
Department for International Trade
StyleInternational Trade Secretary
(informal)
The Right Honourable
(UK and the Commonwealth)
StatusSecretary of state
Minister of the Crown
Member ofCabinet
Privy Council
Board of Trade
Reports toThe Prime Minister
SeatWestminster
AppointerThe Crown
on advice of the Prime Minister
Term lengthAt His Majesty's Pleasure
Formation13 July 2016
First holderLiam Fox
Abolished7 February 2023

The Secretary of State for International Trade, also referred to as the International Trade Secretary, was a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the business of the Department for International Trade and UK Export Finance.[1] The incumbent was a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. During the office's lifetime, the incumbent was concurrently appointed President of the Board of Trade.

The office holder worked alongside the other International Trade ministers. The corresponding shadow minister was the shadow secretary of state for international trade. The secretary of state was also scrutinised by the International Trade Select Committee.[2]

The final officeholder was Kemi Badenoch, following her appointment by Prime Minister Liz Truss in September 2022; she was subsequently reappointed by Rishi Sunak in October 2022.[3] In February 2023, the position was abolished, with its duties merging with those of the Business Secretary to become Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

  1. ^ "Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade". gov.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Committee to question Liz Truss on work of her Department". parliament.uk. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2021. The International Trade Committee will meet on Wednesday 4 November, to take virtual evidence from the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP.
  3. ^ "UK Prime Minister twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 6 September 2022.