The Minister of State for Trade is a mid-level role at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade in the Government of the United Kingdom. It is currently held by Anas Sarwar, who was appointed on 22 July 2026.
History
Although a Minister of State position, it was considered to be one of the most important jobs outside Cabinet rank as when Douglas Alexander became Minister of State for Trade in September 2004, he was given a special provision to attend the Cabinet meetings.
This position replaced the office of Secretary for Overseas Trade, created in 1917.
The subsequent role of Minister of State for Investment was created in 2021.
The minister formerly worked at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department for International Trade.