WTO: Subsidies, Trade and International Cooperation
On 22 April 2022 a joint report issued was issued by the WTO with the IMF, OECD and World Bank, examining the need for international cooperation in combating harmful trade subsidies. The drive by the G20 to strengthen the multilateral trading
See MoreWTO: Trade Review of UAE
From 22 to 24 March 2022 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) conducted a review of the trade policies and practices of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a basis for the review, a report was prepared by the WTO Secretariat. The UAE’s economy
See MoreWTO: Work Plan for New Trade and Environmental Sustainability Talks
At a meeting on 7 February 2022, World Trade Organisation (WTO) members reviewed a proposed 2022 work plan for the new initiative on trade and environmental sustainability. The draft work plan includes the proposed work areas for the formal
See MoreEU: Auditors Review Energy Taxation and Carbon Pricing
A review published on 31 January 2022 by the European Court of Auditors entitled Energy Taxation, Carbon Pricing and Energy Subsidies notes that the EU countries tax and subsidise energy sources in a manner that contradicts their climate goals; and
See MoreWTO: Director General Outlines Initiatives for Responsible and Sustainable Trade
On 28 January 2022 the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) gave a keynote speech at a conference on more responsible and sustainable trade, held in France which currently has the presidency of the European Union. The speech
See MoreWTO: Five Aims for the WTO Member Countries in 2022
A blog post on 10 January 2022 from the WTO Deputy Director General Ms Gonzalez looked at five important tasks for the WTO in 2022. Response to the pandemic The WTO members need to deliver a trade and health response to the pandemic, in view
See MoreUN: Tax Committee Discusses Interaction of Investment Agreements and Tax
In its meetings from 19 to 28 October 2021 the UN Committee has covered, among other issues, the interaction of tax, trade and investment agreements. A Note on the Interaction of Tax Trade and Investment Agreements was prepared by the UNDESA
See MoreEU: Proposed carbon border tax criticised by BRICS countries
On 27 August 2021 a virtual BRICS ministerial meeting on the environment stated its joint opposition to the EU’s proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism and referred to it as discriminatory. The BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India,
See MoreWTO: World Trade Statistical Review 2021
On 30 July 2021 the WTO released the World Trade Statistical Review for 2021, setting out the statistics that clarify trends in world trade. Goods The effect of the pandemic led to a fall of 8% in the value of world merchandise exports in
See MoreWTO: Goods Trade Barometer Shows Strong Expansion
On 18 August 2021, the WTO published the latest reading of the WTO Goods Trade Barometer. The Barometer provides real time information on trends in trade in merchandise relative to the recent trajectory. It is therefore an indicator that runs ahead
See MoreOECD: Communique Issued by the Meeting of G20 Finance Ministers
Following the meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors on 9 and 10 July 2021 a communiqué was issued summarising the issues discussed. The communiqué noted that the global outlook has further improved since the previous
See MoreWTO: Trade Monitoring Report
On 28 June 2021 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) issued the 25th WTO Trade Monitoring Report on G20 trade measures. The report covers the period from mid-October 2020 to mid-May 2021. The review notes that the period saw an increase in
See MoreEU: BASIC countries express concern at the proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
A Joint Statement issued on 8 April 2021 at the conclusion of the 30th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change has expressed concern about the insufficiency and inadequacy of the support provided by developed countries; and is concerned that
See MoreEU finalises Investment Agreement with China
On 30 December 2020 the EU and China confirmed that they have agreed in principle the provisions of an investment agreement. The agreement aims to resolve some of the difficulties that have been encountered by European companies trading in China.
See MoreEU and UK Sign the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
On 30 December 2020 the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed by the EU leaders and by the UK Prime Minister. The deal was also approved by the UK Parliament which was recalled for the purpose of debating and voting on the agreement. The
See MoreEU and UK: Trade and Cooperation Agreement Approved by EU Ambassadors
On 28 December 2020 the EU ambassadors unanimously approved the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. The agreement is to be considered by the UK parliament on 28 December and if approved it will take effect provisionally from
See MoreWTO Adopts Package of Recommendations to Assist MSMEs
On 11 December 2020 the WTO’s Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) adopted a package of six recommendations and declarations concerning problems encountered by MSMEs when engaging in international trade. The
See MoreUK: Preliminary Estimate of VAT Gap for 2019/20
On 25 November 2020 HMRC published the preliminary estimate of the value added tax (VAT) gap for 2019/20. The VAT gap indicates the VAT lost for various reasons and is measured as the difference between the amount of VAT actually collected and
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