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
See MoreUS 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 agreementÂ
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
See MoreSingapore 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
See MoreUS, 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
See MoreIMF 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,
See MoreColombia 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
See MoreWTO: 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
See MoreIMF: Boosting Trade and Economic Integration Across Europe and Africa
On 4 February 2026 the IMF published a departmental paper with the title North Africa: Connecting Continents, Creating Opportunities, prepared by the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia department. The publication of the departmental paper was
See MoreBangladesh, Japan sign economic partnership agreement
Bangladesh and Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on 6 February 2026 in Tokyo, establishing Bangladesh’s first comprehensive bilateral trade deal with a major developed economy. The agreement is expected to cost Bangladesh
See MoreUS, Bangladesh agree on new trade deal
The US and Bangladesh have agreed to an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) to enhance their bilateral economic relationship. The deal builds on the longstanding US-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) of
See MoreBangladesh to sign US tariff agreement ahead of elections
Bangladesh’s interim government will sign a tariff agreement with the US on 9 February 2026, just three days before the national parliamentary election. The delegation, led by commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and commerce secretary Mahbubur
See MoreUS, El Salvador sign trade deal to promote critical minerals investment
The US and El Salvador signed an agreement to promote US investment in El Salvador’s critical minerals sector on 29 January 2026. Signed in Washington, the deal allows US companies to participate across the full critical minerals supply chain
See MoreSwitzerland to adopt FATCA Model 1 with US from 2028
Switzerland’s transition to a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Model 1 agreement with the United States is now expected to take effect on 1 January 2028, one year later than previously anticipated, the State Secretariat for International
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