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.
Responsibilities
Corresponding to what is generally known as a commerce minister in many other countries, the international trade secretary's remit included:
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,[5] which was recreated as the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy[6] 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.[7]
^"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.
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