Barry believes that trade policy can play an important role in increasing European competitiveness while at the same time promoting international development globally. His specific focus during his mandate has been on the links between human rights and business and the nexus between international trade and economic development. His largest contribution to the international trade committee has been his work on the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), where he was a leading negotiator and the rapporteur / penholder for INTA. This piece of legislation will require companies of a certain size to conduct mandatory due diligence in their supply chains, ensuring no adverse impacts on the environment or on human rights.

Barry has further worked on several different reports, such as a European Strategy for Critical Raw Materials, Sustainable Corporate Governance and the 2022 Implementation Report on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.