EU: 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
See MoreWTO: Trade Issues and the Environment
On 15 October 2020 the WTO issued a publication entitled Short Answers to Big Questions on the WTO and the Environment answering questions on issues relating to trade and the environment. Links Between Trade and the Environment Although trade
See MoreWTO: Role of trade policies in addressing plastic pollution
On 30 September 2020 the WTO Deputy Director-General addressed the role of trade policy in combating plastic pollution. Trade regulations, border duties and taxes, domestic tax law and incentives in the form of subsidies are some of the tools that
See MoreWTO: Enhancement of Special and Differential Measures for Developing Countries
On 23 September 2020 the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Development is holding a special meeting to discuss the possible enhancement of the measures for special and differential (S&D) treatment for developing countries contained in the various
See MoreWTO issues update on accessions
On 1 September 2020 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) published an update on accession negotiations for countries aiming for membership of the organisation. The WTO currently has 164 member countries and covers 98% of world trade. The WTO
See MoreIMF: Effect of the COVID-19 Crisis on Lower Income Developed Countries
An IMF blog post, dated 27 August 2020, notes that the low income developing countries (LIDCs) are in a difficult position to combat the COVID-19 crisis. They have already been hard hit by external shocks and the lockdown measures are causing their
See MoreIMF: Global Imbalances and the COVID-19 Crisis
On 4 August 2020 the IMF released the 2020 External Sector Report on global imbalances and the COVID-19 crisis. Trade Forecasts The COVID-19 crisis has led to a decline in global trade, a decrease in commodity prices and more challenging
See MoreWTO: Effect of COVID-19 Crisis on Trade Costs
On 12 August 2020 the WTO issued an information note on Trade Costs in the Time of Global Pandemic. The note uses information from the WTO’s forthcoming Global Trade Costs Index and other available indicators to look at the effect on trade costs
See MoreMexico modifies the General Customs Rules for 2020
On 24 July 2020, Mexico has published the first amendment to the General Customs Rules for 2020 in the Official Gazette. The amendments include changes to the Comprehensive Business Certification Scheme, in the VAT, VAT Certification and Authorized
See MoreEU: Consultation on Limiting the Impact of non-EU subsidies
A consultation on measures to limit the impact of non-EU subsidies was launched with the publication of a White Paper by the European Commission on 17 June 2020. The consultation will run until 23 September 2020 and the EU is looking at the
See MoreWTO: Trade Policy Review of European Union
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) issued a report in connection with the trade policy review of the European Union (EU) conducted on 18 and 20 February 2020. The review looked at developments in EU trade policy in the period from March 2017 to
See MoreWTO issues 2019 annual report
On 4 June 2019 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) published its annual report covering developments in 2018 and early 2019. The period was characterised by growing trade tension and economic uncertainty. A deceleration in economic activity led
See MoreSingapore: Ministry of Health proposes enlarged graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging
On 4 February 2018, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has proposed for enlarged health warnings on tobacco packaging which could cover 75% of the packaging surface. From February 5th to March 16th , MOH will be conducting a public consultation
See More