Secretary-General calls for renewed cooperation as tariffs spark economic uncertainty at Commonwealth Trade & Investment Summit in London
London, UK – April 7, 2025 — Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has called for urgent and enhanced cooperation among Commonwealth nations to navigate escalating global trade tensions, warning that recent protectionist measures threaten the stability and prosperity of member states.
Speaking at the 2025 Commonwealth Trade & Investment Summit held at Mansion House in London, Botchwey said the sweeping trade tariffs introduced last week by several major economies—some of which directly target Commonwealth countries—have served as a wake-up call to reassess the bloc’s collective response mechanisms.
“The sweeping tariffs implemented last week shook markets around the world. Some target Commonwealth countries directly. All of us are affected,” she declared in her keynote speech. “This is very far from business as usual. And business as usual wasn’t working for the Commonwealth.”
Her remarks come as global markets reel from a wave of newly introduced tariffs that threaten to spark retaliatory measures and further destabilize international trade flows. Experts have warned that developing economies—many of which are Commonwealth members—are particularly vulnerable to these shocks.
The Commonwealth Advantage: A Network of Trust in an Uncertain World
Despite the challenges, Botchwey struck a note of cautious optimism, arguing that the Commonwealth’s historical ties, shared values, and mutual trust offer a unique foundation for economic collaboration.
“Commonwealth cooperation on trade has never been more urgent—or more valuable,” she stated. “Because in a time of fragmentation, we offer connection. Amid uncertainty, we offer trust. When others raise barriers, we build bridges.”
Botchwey highlighted the bloc’s demographic and economic potential—home to over 2.5 billion people across six continents and representing $13 trillion in combined GDP—as a powerful force for global trade and investment. She called for concrete steps to unlock the so-called “Commonwealth advantage,” which studies suggest can reduce trade costs by up to 21% between member nations.
Trade Ministers Back Push for Coordinated Strategy
Following Botchwey’s speech, trade ministers and business leaders from across the 56-member Commonwealth expressed support for a more unified trade strategy. Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland, UK Secretary of State for International Trade, echoed the Secretary-General’s message.
“We must not let external shocks divide us,” Scotland said. “Our response must be coordinated, creative, and committed to inclusive growth.”
The UK government announced a £75 million initiative to support trade facilitation and digital trade infrastructure in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Similar pledges were made by Canada and Australia, focused on technical assistance and market access support.
Digital Trade, Green Economy Top Agenda
This year’s summit also emphasized the future of Commonwealth trade, with panels discussing digital transformation, sustainable trade, and the green economy as pathways for resilient growth.
Dr. James Manyika, Chair of the Global Trade Futures Forum, noted that digital trade now accounts for over 25% of Commonwealth services exports.
“The shift toward digital trade, if supported by the right policies, could offer developing Commonwealth nations a fast track to economic diversification and job creation,” he said.
To that end, the Commonwealth Secretariat launched a new Digital Trade Readiness Index designed to help member states assess and enhance their digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and workforce capacity.
Calls for Inclusive and Equitable Trade Policies
Several speakers at the summit stressed that economic recovery and resilience must be inclusive, particularly for women, youth, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of many Commonwealth economies.
“The future of trade must work for all,” said Namita Gupta, CEO of India’s Global Trade Inclusion Hub. “We need gender-sensitive trade policies, skills training, and affordable finance for SMEs to truly harness the benefits of integration.”
Ayorkor Botchwey also echoed this sentiment, calling for the full inclusion of marginalized groups in trade policy and practice.
“Our economic resilience is only as strong as our commitment to equity,” she said. “We must ensure that Commonwealth trade benefits are not concentrated in a few hands but shared across all communities.”
A Renewed Call for a Commonwealth Investment Framework
One of the key proposals discussed at the summit was the creation of a Commonwealth Investment Framework—a proposed set of principles and tools to attract responsible investment across the bloc. The framework aims to standardize investment policies, reduce regulatory risks, and promote sustainable practices.
Professor Kwame Acheampong, a Ghanaian trade economist, called it a “game-changer” that could level the playing field for smaller economies.
“Investors are looking for predictable, transparent, and stable environments. A common framework sends a powerful signal that the Commonwealth is serious about being an investment destination,” Acheampong said.
Next Steps: Roadmap to the 2025 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
Outcomes from the summit will feed directly into preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for October 2025 in Samoa. The theme, “Partnership for a Resilient Future,” reflects the urgency of reinforcing economic cooperation in the face of global uncertainties.
In her closing remarks, Secretary-General Botchwey challenged member states to act decisively.
“The world is watching how the Commonwealth responds. Let us not return to business as usual. Let us rise to this moment with ambition, unity, and resolve,” she said.
Conclusion: From Words to Action
The 2025 Commonwealth Trade & Investment Summit has set a bold agenda for trade cooperation, innovation, and inclusivity. While the path ahead is complex, the message from London is clear: Commonwealth nations must work together not only to withstand external pressures but to chart a new, people-centered vision of global trade.
