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: 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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WTO: Role of Trade in Achieving SDGs
On 8 June 2022 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) submitted a report to the UN’s High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. The WTO contribution to the 2022 UN High-Level Political Forum considers the role of trade in
See MoreWTO: International Trade Cooperation to Strengthen Preparation for Future Pandemics
On 3 June 2022 the World Bank and the WTO launched a document entitled: Trade Therapy: Deepening Cooperation to Strengthen Pandemic Defenses. The publication notes that trade has an important role to play in the response to health crises such as
See MoreWTO: Trade Policy Review of New Zealand
On 1 and 3 June 2022 the WTO is carrying out a trade policy review of New Zealand. A report has been issued by the WTO Secretariat as a basis for the review. The report notes that New Zealand considers trade as very important for its prosperity.
See MoreWTO: 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
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