Institute for Free Trade

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The Institute for Free Trade is a UK-based think tank, or lobby group, for free trade launched in September 2017.

It is based at the same London address as the free market think tank, Centre for Policy Studies and the now dormant anti-EU free market lobby group, Global Vision.

Its stated mission is to 'recapture the moral case for open commerce'.

It supports a hard Brexit and says it 'sees Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union as a unique opportunity to revitalise the world trading system.'[1]

Approach to Brexit

According to The Times, the Institute wants to work with ministers and businesses to dodge restrictions on negotiating deals before Britain withdraws from the EU in 2019. It also wants to change policy by calling for Britain to abandon European product standards.[2]

Political links

The Institute for Free Trade was launched on 27 September 2017 at an event hosted by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in the map room in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox also spoke at the event.[3]

It says it will 'work closely with, though independently of, the UK’s newly established Department for International Trade, ensuring that Brexit becomes a catalyst for a freer global trading order.'

It describes itself as having 'extensive networks within governments'.

People

Board

International Advisory Panel

Funding

Like most free market 'think tanks', it is not known who funds the Institute. Its website has no details of funders.

Activities

The Institute says it has three key aims:

  • Educate civil society on the benefits of free trade
  • Convince business and interest groups around the world, particularly in developing countries, on the benefits of free trade agreements
  • Lobby to change policy and promote new trade agreements.[4]

Contacts

Address:

Website:

References

  1. About, Institute for Free Trade website, accessed Sept 2017
  2. Boris Johnson hosts hard Brexit lobby group, The Times, 27 September 2017
  3. Boris Johnson hosts hard Brexit lobby group, The Times, 27 September 2017
  4. About, Institute for Free Trade website, accessed Sept 2017