WTO Trade Policy Review of EU
The WTO is reviewing the trade policies and practices of the EU on 5 and 7 June 2023. The WTO Secretariat has produced a report as a basis for the review. During the period under review the EU made progress on major policy initiatives including
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UK: Consultation on Voluntary Standard for Customs Intermediaries
On 5 June 2023 the UK launched a consultation looking for the views of stakeholders on a proposal to introduce a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries. Views are invited from interested parties by 30 August 2023. The consultation follows
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WTO: Strengthening LDC economies
On 31 May 2023 the WTO member states discussed a number of initiatives that aim to strengthening the economic output of less developed countries. The meeting of the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) heard from Angola, Rwanda and
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IMF: International Organizations Launch Joint Subsidy Platform
On 25 May 2023 a new Joint Subsidy Platform was launched by the IMF, OECD, World Bank, and WTO. The platform at www.subsidydata.org aims to facilitate dialogue on subsidies by providing easier access to information on the nature and size of
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EU: European Commission Announces Proposals for Customs Reform
On 17 May 2023 the European Commission set out proposals for a reform of the EU Customs Union. The proposals are a response to the large increase in the volume of trade in recent years, the growth in e-commerce and the need to enforce EU trading
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WTO: Building on Research for Better Trade Outcomes
A WTO blog by the Deputy Director General (DDG) Anabel Gonzalez published on 16 May 2023 noted that decisions on allocation of political and economic resources must be based on sound research and analysis. Currently it is difficult to implement
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IMF: Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa Vulnerable to Geopolitical Tensions
An IMF country focus published on 1 May 2023 noted that if geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, sub-Saharan Africa could experience an economic decline of up to 4% of real GDP after ten years. This estimate is based on a scenario where the
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WTO: Lessons learned from the pandemic
On 21 November 2022 the WTO’s Committee on Market Access held the fifth of a series of experience-sharing sessions on trade in goods related to the pandemic. The session looked at the main lessons learned from the pandemic and was preceded by a
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UN: Relationship of Tax, Trade and Investment Agreements
The UN Tax Committee at its meetings from 18 to 21 October 2022 discussed an update of the work on the interaction of tax, trade and investment agreements. The Subcommittee on the Relationship of Tax, Trade and Investment Agreements is mandated
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Brazil and the UK Begin Negotiations for a Double Tax Agreement
Following the completion of exploratory talks, the UK and Brazil are to hold a first round of negotiations on a double taxation agreement from 12 to 16 September 2022. Brazil began accession discussions with the OECD on 25 January 2022 and has
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UK: Talks on Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council
On 22 August 2022, UK and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) negotiating teams met for the first round of negotiations on a free trade agreement. The talks are expected to continue for around two weeks and cover all areas of the FTA focusing on the main
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UK: Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement with India
Following the conclusion of a fifth round of talks between India and the UK on a free trade agreement (FTA), a factsheet was issued by the UK’s Department of International Trade on 19 August 2022. The fifth round of negotiations involved
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WTO: Latest Issue of World Tariff Profiles
On 29 July 2022 the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued the latest edition of its annual publication World Tariff Profiles. The publication sets out global tariff and non-tariff information on more than 170 countries and is issued in
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UK: Small Business Attitudes to the Single Trade Window
On 21 July 2022 the UK government published research on the attitude of small business to the proposed single trade window (STW). The UK government is developing a single trade window to streamline the interaction of traders with border agencies.
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UK: Consultation on Single Trade Window
On 21 July 2022 the UK government published a consultation document inviting comments on the design of a single trade window (STW) that would be an important part of the UK’s border strategy. The UK government is aiming to revise its customs
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UK: Summary of Responses to Consultation on Customs Improvements
On 25 July 2022 the UK published a summary of responses to the call for evidence on improvements to the UK customs regime. Comments were invited earlier in 2022 on how the customs system is functioning, especially in relation to the customs
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IMF Report Looks at the US Economic Situation
On 12 July 2022 the IMF published a report following consultations with the US under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The US has recovered quickly from the economic shock caused by the pandemic although the recovery of demand,
See MoreBRICS Summit Declaration Notes Progress on Tax and Customs Cooperation
Following the virtual BRICS summit held on 23 June 2022, the Beijing Declaration emphasised the need to cooperate to promote economic recovery. The BRICS group of emerging powers – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – has
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