Washington International Trade Association

I’ve just been given the huge privilege of becoming a board member of the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) , a well-respected non-profit, non-partisan DC-based organisation dedicated to robust discussions on international trade policy issues.

I’ve been a member of WITA since my arrival here in July 2009, benefiting not just from its trade policy discussions with respected opinion formers and policy makers, and the opportunity for collaborative events between the British Embassy and WITA, but also the opportunities to meet with a diverse range of well-informed trade community aficionados from all over town.

I couldn’t really do my job without WITA. But don’t take my word for it – ask any of its 1,700 members. Or the 500 or so who attend its grand annual trade dinner, or “trade prom”.

So, not surprisingly, I was flattered to be asked to be part of the organisation and give a bit a more back.

For me, WITA’s relevant because international is at the heart of its name and mission. That makes a lot of sense for an organisation that is focussed on trade and investment policies. It’s easy to look at trade through a domestic lens and measure it in terms of trade deficits. But that doesn’t necessarily make such a policy sustainable or economically efficient.

It doesn’t do much to support innovation or competition either. Or for sustainable economic development in those countries that we’re otherwise supporting through humanitarian or development aid. Take a look at the free market theories written about two hundred years ago by British economists Adam Smith and David Ricardo for an idea of where I’m coming from. They still hold true – and still influence British trade policy.

I look forward to serving WITA’s members, in a non-partisan way, supporting its work on international trade and business. Goodness knows – all of our prosperity agendas are relying on it.