Global Relations and International Trade

​The Global Relations and International Trade directorate is responsible for the Government of Jersey’s bilateral and multilateral relationships with partner jurisdictions and international organisations outside of the European Union and United Kingdom. The directorate comprises of three core teams:

1. Global Relations
2. International Trade Unit (ITU)
   
3. sanctions and international compliance
   

Global Relations

The Ministry of External Relations is leading the government's efforts to build Jersey's relationships with non-EU countries worldwide. The work of the Global Relations team focusses on four key regions: 

• Americas
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Middle East and North Africa
• Asia 

The Global Relations team is working to strengthen Jersey's links with countries in a range of ways, including political, commercial, cultural, and educational cooperation.

In September 2017, the Council of Ministers approved the initial Global Markets Strategy which was developed by Global Relations to guide Jersey's international work. This Strategy was updated in 2019 and expanded in 2023 as the Global Relations Strategy, to reflect the wider work of the Directorate.

Global Relations Strategy 2023-2026.

The Global Relations team is based in both Jersey and the Jersey London Office.

International Trade Unit

The International Trade Unit (ITU) evolved out of the original ‘Brexit Unit’ that was established to manage the practical and political implications of the UK’s departure from the European Union. The team is based in Jersey with support from officers in the Jersey London Office.

The ITU is responsible for all international trade matters in connection with UK trade arrangements. This includes managing Jersey’s international commitments and obligations as part of the UK’s membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and through UK negotiated Free Trade Agreements with other third country partners around the world. The ITU works closely with UK Government departments, principally the Department for International Trade, to ensure that Jersey’s interests are fully understood and represented across international trade structures and in new trade negotiations.

It is vitally important for Jersey to maintain our international presence, to be seen as a responsible trading nation, which upholds our obligations, and has good relationships with
countries across the globe. This is a cornerstone of the work that External Relations undertakes.

For the ITU this means ensuring we can benefit and participate in UK trade arrangements that are of interest to us. Areas of focus

ITU covers a wide range of UK trading matters but, broadly speaking, the majority of the team’s work falls into two categories – trade negotiations and implementation of trade commitments. Core activities include:

Negotiations

• in line with the principles endorsed by the States Assembly, seek for Jersey to participate in UK Trade Agreements where it is in our interests
  
• deliver clear parameters for the scope of Jersey’s inclusion and engage with UK negotiators to manage that position
  
• assess Jersey’s ability to comply with new or enhanced obligations in order to maintain our reputation as a responsible international partner
  
• work with the Department of International Trade to fully understand the scope of UK mandates across WTO negotiations and consider the impact for Jersey

Implementation

• ensure Jersey undertakes action as necessary to continue to meet its international commitments within the WTO and in trade agreements which have been extended to us. This encompasses:
  

• providing certain information in response to WTO notifications
  
• responding and agreeing to changes in Rules of Origin protocols between other partner countries
  
• liaising with other GoJ departments to advise on policy plans and legislative proposals to confirm they take account of our obligations
  
• develop and maintain internal and external governance structures for Jersey to engage appropriately in various Committees established under each trade agreement including the UK-EU Trade Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
  
• manage Jersey’s relationship with the UK Government in relation to international trade, protecting key constitutional conventions to enable appropriate and effective representation for Jersey in the UK’s trade agenda
  

How we do this

ITU works collaboratively with teams and departments across the Government of Jersey to monitor, assess, and prioritise Jersey’s trading interests and work to promote them effectively. This cannot be done in isolation. The published Trade Investment and Growth Framework sets out how we aim to achieve a coordinated approach to trade across the Government of Jersey. ITU played a key role in developing this document and have brought together an International Trade Architecture strategy which is one pillar within the framework.

As Jersey continues to develop a more mature understanding of its trading priorities and potential markets of interests both locally and domestically, ITU will be instrumental in delivering on those priorities for Jersey, where appropriate, in UK trade agreements.

The benefits

The UK has an ambitious trading agenda and is fast rolling out a stream of new Free Trade Agreement negotiations, as well as stepping up in its activities in the WTO, especially in relation to climate change and sustainability. Jersey is well placed, as part of the wider British family, to take advantage of the new trading landscape if we choose to.

This requires a positive and proactive approach to ensure our core interests are protected and that Jersey’s ability to adhere to new international commitments without compromising our autonomy is maintained. Jersey’s trademark exports enjoy global recognition, and we want to ensure that they can benefit from preferential tariff rates in the same way. Jersey’s service industry is well renowned and as trading relationships deepen, FTAs have the potential to offer not only greater market access but enhanced protections for businesses overtime.

Participating in UK Trade and other international agreements, provides Jersey with an additional platform on the global stage to demonstrate we are a responsible, modern, and forward-thinking jurisdiction. New Free Trade Agreements offer the opportunity to enhance our international reputation and presence if we seek to have them extended, and open new avenues for Jersey business, investment, and innovation over the long term.

Sanctions and International Compliance

International sanctions are coordinated through the Financial Sanctions Implementation Unit. Currently, Jersey implements and enforces all relevant UN and UK sanctions regimes through the Sanctions and Asset Freezing (Jersey) Law 2019 (SAFL), and the Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Implementation of External Sanctions) (Jersey) Order 2021. 

Jersey’s sanctions regime