WTO: Building on Research for Better Trade Outcomes
A WTO blog by the Deputy Director General (DDG) Anabel Gonzalez published on 16 May 2023 noted that decisions on allocation of political and economic resources must be based on sound research and analysis. Currently it is difficult to implement
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IMF: Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa Vulnerable to Geopolitical Tensions
An IMF country focus published on 1 May 2023 noted that if geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, sub-Saharan Africa could experience an economic decline of up to 4% of real GDP after ten years. This estimate is based on a scenario where the
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WTO: Lessons learned from the pandemic
On 21 November 2022 the WTO’s Committee on Market Access held the fifth of a series of experience-sharing sessions on trade in goods related to the pandemic. The session looked at the main lessons learned from the pandemic and was preceded by a
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UK: Talks on Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council
On 22 August 2022, UK and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) negotiating teams met for the first round of negotiations on a free trade agreement. The talks are expected to continue for around two weeks and cover all areas of the FTA focusing on the main
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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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IMF Report Looks at the US Economic Situation
On 12 July 2022 the IMF published a report following consultations with the US under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The US has recovered quickly from the economic shock caused by the pandemic although the recovery of demand,
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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 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 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: 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
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