# Secretary of State for International Trade

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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. 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.
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. 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.

## Responsibilities

Corresponding to what is generally known as a commerce minister in many other countries, the international trade secretary's remit included:
* Forming new free trade agreements for the United Kingdom
* Managing the development of freeports across Britain
* Maintaining current trade agreements with other countries
* Supporting British businesses with international trade

## History

The office was created by Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after she took office on 13 July 2016, following the 2016 EU referendum. The office's powers were taken from the trade functions of the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, which was recreated as the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy as part of a wider government reorganisation.
While the office of Secretary of State for International Trade provided trade services in the post-EU-referendum period, other departments and offices continued to play a role, e.g. DEFRA provided services to the EU and beyond.

## List of secretaries of state

Colour key (for political parties):
 Conservative
Secretary of State for International Trade :
| Secretary of State | Secretary of State | Term of office | Term of office | Party | Ministry |
| | Liam Fox MP for North Somerset | 13 July 2016 | 24 July 2019 | Conservative | May I |
| ​ | Liam Fox MP for North Somerset | 13 July 2016 | 24 July 2019 | Conservative | May II |
| | Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk | 24 July 2019 | 15 September 2021 | Conservative | Johnson I |
| | Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk | 24 July 2019 | 15 September 2021 | Conservative | Johnson II |
| | Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed | 15 September 2021 | 6 September 2022 | Conservative | Johnson II |
| | Kemi Badenoch MP for Saffron Walden | 6 September 2022 | 7 February 2023 | Conservative | Truss |
| | Kemi Badenoch MP for Saffron Walden | 6 September 2022 | 7 February 2023 | Conservative | Sunak |