Korea (Rep.), UAE CEPA to take effect, tariff cuts phased over 10 years
Korea (Rep.) and the UAE will implement their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 1 May 2026, following the completion of domestic approval procedures and bilateral consultations to expedite its entry into force. The CEPA,
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Ecuador to impose 100% tariffs on Colombian imports amid border security dispute
Ecuador has announced that it will increase customs duties on imports from Colombia to 100% from 50%, effective 1 May, escalating a series of tariff measures linked to border security and drug trafficking concerns. The Ministry of Production said
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Japan, France strengthen rare earth supply ties to cut dependence on China
Japan and France have agreed to boost cooperation on rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China. The announcement came during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Japan for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Under the
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EU: Parliament approves tariff framework for US trade agreement, ensures American compliance
The European Parliament announced on 26 March 2026 that its members endorsed their position on two proposals covering tariff arrangements under the EU-US Turnberry trade deal. The agreement, reached in summer 2025, aims to remove most tariffs on
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Russia to ban gasoline exports from April
Russia will ban gasoline exports from 1 April to 31 July, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced on Friday, 27 March 2026 . The measure is intended to manage domestic fuel supply as global oil and oil products markets face
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South Africa imposes high tariffs on Chinese, Thai structural steel
South Africa has introduced steep import duties on structural steel from China and Thailand after finding evidence of dumping. Chinese steel will face a 74.98% tariff, while Thai steel will be hit with a 20.32% duty. The International Trade
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US, Mexico hold discussions in advance of USMCA joint review
The US Trade Representative (USTR), Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard have convened on 18 March 2026 to kick off bilateral technical discussions in advance of the USMCA Joint Review on 1 July 2026. Technical teams
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US moves forward with USD 166 billion refund for IEEPA tariffs
The US government is progressing on a four-part system to refund USD 166 billion in tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), with progress estimated between 40% and 80%, according to a recent court
See MoreUS launches trade investigations against 60 largest trading partners over forced labour practices
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 12 March 2026 initiated investigations of 60 economies under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigations will determine whether acts, policies, and practices of each of these economies
See MoreUS, Ecuador sign reciprocal trade agreement
The US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and Ecuadorian Minister Luis Alberto Jaramillo signed a reciprocal trade agreement opening Ecuador's market of over 18 million consumers to American agricultural and industrial exports on 13 March
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Singapore to engage USTR over Section 301 probe citing disputed trade data
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said on Thursday, 12 March 2026, that it will engage with the US Trade Representative (USTR) to clarify data and details of a Section 301 trade investigation targeting excess industrial capacity. The
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US, China and other governments urge Ghana to reconsider gold royalty increase
China, the US, and several Western governments are urging Ghana to halt plans to raise gold royalties, sources say. Ghana aims to replace its fixed 5% royalty with a 5–12% sliding scale linked to gold prices, seeking higher revenue from rising
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IMF press briefing on US economy looks at tax and trade issues
On 25 February 2026 the IMF held a press briefing to discuss the issues raised by the article IV report on the US economy. The IMF emphasised that the US economy will continue to grow strongly in 2026 and 2027. US private sector entrepreneurs and
See MoreIMF Report on US Recommends Tax and Duty Changes
On 25 February 2026 the IMF issued a report following consultations with the US under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The IMF notes that the US economy performed well in 2025 and economic growth reached 2.2% by the end of 2025.
See MoreIMF Country Focus Examines Canada’s Internal Barriers to Trade
On 27 January 2026 an IMF Country Focus looked at opportunities for Canada to increase growth by removing internal barriers to trade. The Country Focus with the title Canada Can Grow Faster by Unlocking Its Own Market, written by F Diez and Y. Yang,
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Colombia imposes tariffs, border restrictions on Ecuadorian imports
The Colombian government, through Decree No. 0170 issued on 20 February 2026, has established reciprocal tariffs and entry restrictions on goods from Ecuador in response to trade measures previously imposed by Quito. The decree applies a 30% ad
See MoreIMF Report on Canada Recommends Tax Changes
On 21 January 2026 the IMF issued a report following consultations with Canada under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that Canada is adjusting the significant trade shock caused by US tariff increases and the limited
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WTO: Meeting of Ministers to Discuss Reform
On 11 February 2026 the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicated that the WTO ministerial meeting in Cameroon in March 2026 will aim to make progress in reforming the organisation. The director-general has emphasised that the
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