January 2025

Happy New Year, BABCNE!

As Director of Trade for New England, I support both inbound British and outbound American firms in growing their businesses. In addition, I work as a conduit for policy and feedback on policy between New England and ‘HQ’ in London.

At the Consulate in Boston, our Department for Business and Trade (DBT) presence aligns with areas defined as priority by HMG and areas of particular strength in New England. Thusly, our team here covers 5 sectors:

• technology,
• health and life sciences,
• capital investment,
• financial and professional services, and
• clean energy.

The DBT team in Boston have expertise in their respective sectors and help facilitate firms’ discreet investment or export projects, while also maintaining relationships with stakeholders for any future or ad hoc support that may be required. Through this work, DBT staff are able to provide softer landings to British firms entering the American market and reduce friction for American firms wishing to enter the British market.

All of this falls under DBT’s remit to support key pillars of HMG’s efforts to support growth in the British economy more generally. This mandate is guided by specific artifacts such as the Industrial Strategy and Autumn Budget, which in turn are aided by new mechanisms such as the National Wealth Fund and Great British Energy.

We at the Consulate are excited for the many prospects ahead in 2025 and to share our continuing work and mission with the BABCNE membership. Please do reach out should you have any specific questions or would like to speak to a member of the DBT team here in Boston.

Warmly,

Tripp Whalen

What should we believe? How do we power our businesses with AI? And how do we protect ourselves from unintended consequences? These questions and more were addressed on November 13, 2024, at the Hult International Business School’s Cambridge, MA campus.

With thanks to our presenters and host, Pete Bagley, Practice Lead Entrepreneurship, and the entire Faculty, Staff, and Students of the Hult International Business School.

Thank you Christmas luncheon Supporters!



Over 200 guests enjoyed the comradeship, traditional meal, entertainment and good cheer at the Harvard Club, which opened the business holiday season in Greater Boston! Save the date of December 5, 2025, for our next luncheon.

View the program book here

 Not Your Usual Burns Ceilidh 2025

January 24, 2025, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

A modern take on a Scottish tradition! Raise your glass and join us to celebrate Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns: an evening of dance, song and poetry, light refreshments, cash bar and great company.

RSVP here

Export Expo

January 30-31, 2025

Attend the Export Expo – the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community. 

The Export Expo will feature a lineup of influential guest speakers, workshops, panel discussions and special addresses on a wide variety of export-related topics.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.msbdc.org/export/expo

By invitation only.

In an era where global dynamics are rapidly shifting, the ‘Driving International Trade’ conference offers a platform for 300 forward-thinking leaders looking to accelerate their international footprint.

The event will bring together influential national and international business leaders, and political stakeholders, to explore lucrative markets, pivotal trade corridors, and ambitious projects that offer vast opportunities for businesses.

The event is free to attend but tickets are strictly limited – please complete the expressions of interest form on this link: 

https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/driving-international-trade-conference-2025/ 

You may be interested in viewing the events of the twenty chapters of the British American Business Network.

The BABCNE is a founding member of this network.

The complete event list, which is updated monthly, can be accessed on this link: https://babn.org/events/

BAB Trade and Investment Policy Conference, February 25, 2025, London

Covering key transatlantic Trade & Investment themes

Very timely, BAB is convening a one-day policy conference in London on February 25th specifically focusing on the UK Industrial Strategy and US-UK trade and investment. The speakers include the UK Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. This will be a must attend event for executives and public policy professionals from US companies in the UK and UK companies with a big exposure in the US. 

You can see more details and register for the event here.

From the CEO of BAB (London/New York chapter)

January 2025

Anticipation of a business-friendly tax and regulatory environment, powered by low energy costs, has got a lot of people very excited about the opportunities in the US and we expect this excitement to have a material effect on investor and corporate behavior.

Less positive has been the continued talk of tariff barriers, either as a permanent feature of the US market (as they were for much of US history) or as a negotiating tactic to achieve other aims. Traditional free traders are on fire about this but there is a group of true believers who are convinced that the US having a more open market (as measured by tariffs and non-tariff barriers) than many of its trading partners has not been in the long-term interest of the US and has led to the massive trade imbalances that the new President has in his sights. I, for one, don’t think this is a bluff and the US, with its huge domestic economy, is better equipped to weather the downside of more friction and cost in trade, than its counter parties. For certain, any company that sells a significant amount of product into the USA, but doesn’t manufacture there, is going to review its approach.  

As always, we wish the new administration in the US the very best as they take on the huge challenge of government and as the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the British Chamber in the US, we will be working hard to encourage a positive and open approach to trade and investment between these two great historic partners. 

Read the whole article here

"In 2025 the US and UK will pursue markedly different policy approaches for the same objective of better growth rates."

Published December 12, 2024. Read the whole paper here

Get involved in the conversation by joining our Policy Conference on Feb 25th in London.

BAB submitted a response to the UK Department for Business and Trade’s consultation that will help shape the UK’s future Trade Strategy.

January 17, 2025

BAB’s submission identifies the following points in response to the three main consultation questions:

• Facilitating Trade for Businesses
• Building International Partnerships
• Supporting and Protecting Businesses Internationally

More details and to read the submission

New British Ambadssador to the US

London Daily News, Guest Post, December 31, 2024

British politician Peter Mandelson is soon to be the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, a position which will mark the first time in nearly five decades that a serving politician has filled the post rather than a career diplomat. Mandelson’s choice by Prime Minister Keir Starmer reflects the strategy of the UK government during a crucial moment in international politics, to strengthen ties between the UK and the United States.

Strategic Vision for US-UK Relations

Peter Mandelson outlined a realistic and forward-looking approach to Britain’s connection with the United States. Sensing the challenges of such a task as navigating an increasingly complex world political space, he urged a need for a “new relationship” with America, this time moving away from old-fashioned sentimentality towards mutual interest in economic and security aims.

The very heart of Mandelson’s strategy is the concept of an equilibrium between the two partnerships with the US and the European Union. Trade will be a cornerstone of this strategy.

Read more here

Press Release Prime Minister's Office, December 20, 2024

Tech giants told UK online safety laws ‘not up for negotiation’

Senior cabinet minister promises not to dilute new measures despite Zuckerberg’s attacks on countries ‘censoring’ content

Guardian, Janaury 13, 2025

Britain’s new laws to boost safety and tackle hate speech online are “not up for negotiation”, a senior government minister has warned, after Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg vowed to join Donald Trump to pressure countries they regard as “censoring” content.

In an interview with the Observer, Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, said that the recent laws designed to make online platforms safer for children and vulnerable people would never be diluted to help the government woo big tech companies to the UK in its defining pursuit for economic growth.

His comments come as Keir Starmer prepares a major big tech charm offensive this week in which he will pitch the UK as the “sweet spot” for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

More

Travelers from the US to the UK will need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) starting January 8, 2025

You will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel, if you do not hold a British or Irish passport. The cost is £10 and each ETA is valid for 2 years. 

What you can do with an ETA:

You can get an ETA instead of a visa if you are:

• coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transiting through the UK – including if you are not going through UK border control

Guidence on who needs one and how to apply can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#what-you-can-do-with-aneta

Trade Tariff: look up commodity codes, duty

and VAT rates

Use this service to find a commodity code for goods you’re importing

to or exporting from the UK. You can also use the service to:

• Check if there’s duty or VAT to pay
• Find out about suspensions or reductions
• You’ll need a commodity code when you fill in a customs declaration form, so you pay the correct amount of tax and duties.

More details

Five British period dramas to revisit

British Heritage Travel, Janaury 13, 2025

You've watched Downton Abbey and lapped up Peaky Blinders? You're gotten hooked on British period dramas! Here are five great ones you should take a look at.

Which is your favorite? More