His Majesty's Consul General in Chicago, Richard Hyde, Visits Ohio and the Tri-State
| left to right: Deepa Mani, Global Issues Officer, British Consulate-General Chicago, Richard Hyde, Consul General Chicago, Nicole Fenyo, Executive Director EACC Cincy, Cierra Clymer, Director of International Business Development & Inclusion, REDI Cincinnati, Iain Whitaker, Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Defence, Security and Space (Midwest), British Consulate-General Chicago. |
On March 6th and 7th, 2025, His Majesty's Consul General in Chicago, Richard Hyde, completed his tour of Ohio's "3 Cs" in our Greater Cincinnati region. We had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting with him and his team at the offices of REDI Cincinnati downtown Cincinnati. Also present were the leaders of new British company PreventX, who shared their recent experience of opening their US location in Blue Ash. The conversation was very engaging with the following being our key takeaways:
- This Consul General (CG) has a strong business and economic development background, which makes him a great ally for trade and investment even though that is not his primary function as CG
- At present Ohio is second only to Illinois in Richard’s 14 state region in terms of economic output, and at present growth rates has a chance of catching up some time soon
- He showed a keen interest in what differentiates our region from Columbus and Cleveland, and identified the tri-state aspect as well as our connectivity through CVG as key
When asked how the UK is positioning itself in this post-Brexit AND Trump 2.0 era, Richard's response can be summarized (with the help of ChatGPT) as follows:
In the current "Trump era," the United Kingdom is actively positioning itself as an attractive trading partner for U.S. companies through several strategic initiatives:
Pursuing a Targeted Economic Partnership
Recognizing the challenges of securing a comprehensive free trade agreement, the UK is focusing on a narrower economic partnership with the U.S., emphasizing advanced technology sectors. This approach aims to sidestep contentious issues such as agricultural standards and healthcare services, thereby facilitating smoother negotiations and mutual benefits in innovation and technology.
Financial Times
Enhancing Defense and Security Collaboration
The UK is reinforcing its commitment to defense and security, aligning with U.S. priorities. Recent discussions between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump have highlighted increased UK defense spending and a unified stance on NATO's objectives. This strengthened alliance enhances the UK's appeal as a reliable partner in defense-related industries.
The Times
Navigating EU Relations to Facilitate U.S. Trade
While seeking to improve relations with the European Union, the UK is cautious to maintain regulatory flexibility that would enable a favorable trade agreement with the U.S. Balancing EU demands with the pursuit of a U.S. trade deal is crucial to avoid potential conflicts that could impede negotiations.
The Sun
Capitalizing on Global Trade Dynamics
Amidst the U.S.'s implementation of tariffs on various countries, the UK has the opportunity to position itself as a preferred trading partner by potentially avoiding such tariffs. This unique position could attract U.S. companies seeking stable and tariff-free trade relationships, thereby boosting the UK's economic prospects.
NBC Washington
Advocating for a Free Trade Agreement
The UK government is actively advocating for a free trade agreement with the U.S., emphasizing the mutual benefits of such a partnership. This includes aligning financial services regulations and enhancing market access, which would significantly bolster bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
nationalinterest.org
Through these concerted efforts, the UK aims to strengthen its position as an attractive and strategic trading partner for U.S. companies in the evolving global economic landscape.
