Big changes are coming to international trade. The United Kingdom plans to stop buying items made in Israeli settlements located in the West Bank. If you buy products from other countries, you might soon see fewer items on the market from these contested areas.
British government leader Ed Miliband is ready to share the new plan in parliament. Under global rules, these building areas on occupied territory are illegal. The British government wants to place strict trade sanctions on both goods and local services coming directly from these communities. This decision comes right after Israeli leaders started plans to build 1,200 new homes on the same land. However, this action creates strong disagreement across the ocean. The United States government does not agree with Britain. American leaders openly oppose the plan, and US officials say some American states could soon retaliate against British businesses with their own trade penalties. A British minister will explain why they believe this step is necessary to uphold international law, even if it creates friction with major allies.
Trade rules between nations affect what shops can sell and how countries work together. You can watch how these new economic limits change daily business between the UK, Israel, and the United States.
