Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for International Trade (International Trade Secretary) is a cabinet ministerial position in the government of the United Kingdom. The secretary of state is responsible for overseeing the Department for International Trade, which negotiates new international trade agreements with other countries for the United Kingdom. The position was created by Prime Minister Theresa May, shortly after she took office on 13 July 2016. The purpose behind this new role follows the result of the 2016 European Union membership referendum on 23 June 2016, in which 51.9% of voters voted in favour of leaving the European Union. Withdrawal from the European Union will require new trade agreements to be formed.