Policy paper

Memorandum of understanding on trade and economic co-operation between the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois

Published 8 April 2025

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made by and between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (“the United Kingdom”) and the State of Illinois in the United States of America (“the State of Illinois”), (collectively, the “Participants” and each a “Participant”).

WHEREAS, the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois maintain strong historic, cultural and commercial links;

WHEREAS, the Participants recognise the overall importance of the economic relationship between the United States of America and the Participants, and the relationship between the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois;

WHEREAS, the Participants support the goals of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, recognise the urgency of addressing global climate change and aim to strengthen bilateral co-operation to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century by decarbonising their economies, promoting sustainable growth, facilitating trade and investment in environmental goods and services, and building skilled and modern workforces;

WHEREAS, the Participants recognise that the mutually enabling relationship and links between trade and innovation are fundamental to economic growth and prosperity;

WHEREAS, the Participants recognise the importance of environmental protection, including in the areas of air, water, chemical, and waste pollution and the importance of collaboration in conserving and safeguarding nature and ecosystems and;

WHEREAS, the Participants recognise that the transition towards a more circular economy and greater resource efficiency can reduce adverse environmental and climate impacts of products and production processes and improve resource security.

THEREFORE, the Participants, in the spirit of promoting closer relationships, intend to further support and work co-operatively within the boundaries of existing laws and treaties in their respective jurisdictions on goals and issues as set forth below.

Section 1: objectives

Through this MOU, the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois intend to:

1. Increase trade between the United Kingdom and State of Illinois through deepening economic development co-operation and trade relations.
2. Create a forum to identify and address existing or anticipated barriers to trade, investment and economic co-operation and development.
3. Foster innovation, strengthen business links, support women’s economic empowerment and opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and LGBT people, including employees, consumers, business owners, and entrepreneurs, and encourage investment and the creation of high-quality jobs across all regions of both the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois. Ensure no one is discriminated against in the workplace and recognise the opportunities of a diverse workforce.
4. Improve supply chain resilience through increased co-operation.
5. Grow academic and research ties through promoting collaborative projects, research and information exchange.
6. Support sustainable economic growth (for example, through improved infrastructure, affordable housing, optimising education and industry partnerships, and protecting the quality of the environment).

Section 2: priority areas for focus and co-operation

1. In furtherance of the principle of mutual benefit, the Participants intend to prioritise the following areas for focus and co-operation (the “Priority Areas”) which include but are not limited to:
   a. renewable energy and zero and low emissions technology, including wind energy, zero emissions vehicles, Small Modular Reactors, hydrogen, and related infrastructure and regulatory frameworks
   b. digital and emerging technology, including quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and blockchain
   c. life sciences, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices
   d. fintech and financial services
   e. business services, including legal services
   f. infrastructure, including rail and intercity, light, and high-speed rail, and rail freight services, airports, and the built environment
   g. agriculture, including opportunities to collaborate to improve farm management and productivity in a manner supportive of high animal health and welfare and reduced spread of antimicrobial resistance, sustainable agriculture, farmed animal welfare, innovation including biotechnology, and to consider building on existing agritech collaborations between academics and researchers – the Participants also recognise the connection between improved health and welfare of farmed animals with sustainable food production systems
   h. workforce development including supporting the workforce to meet the needs of high demand, high wage jobs created by innovation across all sectors, and the creation and preservation of decent work
   i. automotive, including accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles, fostering information sharing in the development and support of the automotive industry, such as: best practice in automotive and battery innovation technologies, research, engineering and manufacturing, charging infrastructure and workforce development, especially in relation to policy development and the commercialisation, production, and deployment of electric, connected, and automated mobility
   j. innovation across sectors, including as it relates to the above Priority Areas
   

2. In addition, the Participants:
   a. reaffirm their existing obligations under the Revised World Trade Organisation Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO GPA) and intend to explore opportunities to open access to markets covered in the WTO GPA and encourage private company participation in mutually acceptable government procurement markets of the United Kingdom and Illinois, as permitted by law. The Participants will maintain an open dialogue regarding current and future procurement trade related initiatives and developments.
   b. intend to consider and, as appropriate, pursue solutions to specific market access barriers to trade between the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois. This may include supporting regulators and professional bodies interested in pursuing recognition arrangements for professional qualifications.
   

Section 3: activities and initiatives

1. To achieve the goals described in Section 2 of this MOU, the Participants may carry out the following activities and initiatives:
   a. Best Practice Exchange: share information and best practices in areas such as policy and programme design and implementation, capacity-building, and development of expertise to foster growth and innovation across all sectors.
   b. Trade Promotion and Trade Missions: conduct virtual and in-person missions with the Participants’ respective government officials and businesses to deepen co-ordination on policy and market development and collaborate on initiatives aimed at promoting trade in goods and services between the State of Illinois and the United Kingdom.
   c. Private-Sector Partnership Development: facilitate introductions and partnerships among private sector companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women- and minority-owned businesses and industry related trade associations. This may be delivered through meetings, worker exchange programmes, or regional arrangements.
   d. Academic Co-operation: connect researchers, students, and thought leaders for information sharing, collaborations, and other types of co-operation whilst simultaneously ensuring that any collaboration should conform to proportionate standards of research security and integrity.
   e. Joint Projects and Events: collaborate on joint events such as symposia, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and trainings.
   f. Capital Investment: facilitate introductions and explore opportunities for public and private sector institutions to invest capital, whether directly or via third party funds, in areas including but not limited to the Priority Areas set forth in Section 2.
   

Section 4: implementation and working group

1. In addition to the activities and initiatives set out in Section 3 of this MOU, the Participants will, on a regular basis, inform and consult with one another on matters of common interest that represent opportunities for mutual benefit and are consistent with this MOU.
2. The Participants will meet periodically in the form of a working group to co-ordinate the implementation of the MOU (“the Working Group”). Activities of the Working Group may include:
   a. identifying, and, where appropriate, addressing barriers to trade and investment
   b. consideration of matters relating to the interaction between innovation and trade, including responses to potential disruptions to trade, and regulatory approaches that facilitate innovation
   c. exchange of best practice and information relevant to the Priority Areas outlined in Section 2 of this MOU
   d. where appropriate, facilitating participation of stakeholders in the private sector and academic community to discuss matters pertinent to the MOU
   e. reviewing the operation of the MOU to ensure it is continuously up-to-date and relevant for the growing United Kingdom-Illinois relationship
   f. carrying out any other mutually acceptable forms of co-operation that contribute to the goals of this MOU including facilitating introductions for relevant public and private sector institutions to explore investment opportunities
   
3. The United Kingdom may also raise issues of opportunity and mutual interest relating to territories for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible, where appropriate, namely the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, the Isle of Man, and the Overseas Territories.
4. The Participants designate the following co-ordinating authorities to oversee all interactions related to this MOU and its implementation:
   a. for the State of Illinois: the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; and the Office of the Governor
   b. for the United Kingdom: the Department for Business and Trade; and the British Consulate General in Chicago
   
5. The above designees will also be tasked with identifying participants for the Working Group.

Section 5: third party participation

1. The Participants acknowledge that individuals and entities from the private, public, academic, research, and other sectors may be invited to participate in the co-operative activities and initiatives described herein, provided that such individuals and/or entities can directly and meaningfully contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the MOU.
2. Subject to each Participant’s absolute discretion, this third party participation in the activities and initiatives under this MOU may include, but is not limited to, the involvement of research institutions, economic development organisations, regional or local levels of government, non-governmental and advisory bodies, private enterprise, trade associations, and/or public-private partnerships.
3. The Participants acknowledge that participation in the activities and initiatives under this MOU by third parties will be subject to the Information Sharing and Confidentiality provisions at Section 6 of this MOU.

Section 6: information sharing and confidentiality

1. The Participants recognise that to facilitate the objectives of this MOU, information may pass between them. The sharing of information under this MOU is subject to the following provisions:
   a. the Participants may only use the information for purposes which further the objectives of this MOU
   b. the Participants accept that all public records generated or exchanged pursuant to this MOU will be public, consistent with the Participants’ respective domestic laws
   c. in circumstances where either Participant is legally obliged to disclose any shared information or information related to this MOU under applicable laws, by court order, or for another reason, it will inform the other Participant as soon as reasonably practicable, but prior written consent will not be required from the other Participant

Section 7: intellectual property

1. The Participants acknowledge that any intellectual property brought by one Participant for the implementation of this MOU will remain the property of that Participant.
2. In the event that any intellectual property rights should arise from activity carried out in accordance with this MOU, the Participants understand it will be attributed and protected in accordance with the Participants’ respective state and national laws, and it will be subject to separate and specific arrangements concluded between the Participants in relation to the specific activity.

Section 8: funding

The Participants understand that this MOU does not commit either Participant to financially support any activity carried out under its provisions.

Section 9: interpretation and application of this MOU

The Participants are committed to acting in good faith. Any disagreements between the Participants about the interpretation or application of this MOU will only be settled by consultation and negotiation between the Participants and not referred to any third party, court, or tribunal.

Section 10: entry into operation, amendment, and termination

1. This MOU will come into operation on the date of the later of the Participants’ signatures and will continue to have effect until it is terminated.
2. The Participants may amend this MOU at any time upon their mutual written consent.
3. Either Participant may terminate this MOU by providing 45 days’ written notice of its withdrawal to the other Participant.

Section 11: status of this MOU

1. This MOU is not legally binding under state, national or any other applicable law, including international law, and does not create any legal obligation to undertake or to financially support any activity.
2. The Participants confirm that all actions they carry out under this MOU will be subject as appropriate to applicable laws, rules, and obligations.
3. This MOU does not affect the rights of and obligations of third parties or the rights of the Participants to conclude or enter into arrangements or agreements with respect to any matter described in this MOU.

The foregoing record represents the understandings reached between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the State of Illinois in the United States of America upon the matters referred to therein.

This MOU is signed on Tuesday 8 April 2025 in Springfield, Illinois by the Participants’ duly authorised representatives:

Richard Hyde

His Majesty’s Consul General in Chicago

For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

JB Pritzker

Governor

For the State of Illinois