WTO: 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 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 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: Trade restrictions at historic highs in G20 countries
A Trade Monitoring Report was issued by the WTO on 21 November 2009 covering the period from mid-May to mid-October 2019. The report indicates that the G20 countries introduced import-restrictive measures affecting goods worth around USD 460.4
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 MoreChina, EEU complete negotiations on economic and trade cooperation agreement
China and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) have finished substantial negotiations on an economic and trade cooperation agreement, the Ministry of Commerce said on Oct 1 in a statement. Zhong Shan, China’s commerce minister, signed a joint
See MoreWTO and ICC: Participation by small business in international trade
An initiative launched by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) encourages companies and private sector organizations to suggest innovative ideas to promote cross-border trade by micro, small and medium
See MoreWTO: World Trade Statistical Review 2017
On 28 July 2017 the WTO issued the latest annual statistical report World Trade Statistical Review 2017. This publication examines trends in trade in goods and services and trade policy developments including restrictive trade practices. World
See MoreWTO and OECD: Aid for Trade monitoring report
The sixth aid-for-trade monitoring report has been published by the WTO and OECD under the title “Aid for Trade at a Glance: Promoting Trade Inclusiveness and Connectivity for Sustainable Development. The Aid for Trade initiative, launched in
See MoreEU and Japan reach agreement in principle on trade deal
An agreement in principle has been reached on a free trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Japan. The deal includes sizable tariff cuts, co-operation on standards and regulations and opening up of public procurement markets. The EU and
See MoreWTO: Monitoring report on G20 trade measures
On 30 June 2017 the WTO issued its seventeenth monitoring report on G20 trade measures. The report indicates that the number of trade restrictions in the G20 countries has slightly increased in comparison to previous years. The report notes that 42
See MoreWTO: Measures to facilitate cross-border trade for MSMEs
On 29 June 2017 the WTO’s Director General spoke during an informal dialogue on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These entities face greater barriers to cross-border trading and WTO members have put forward some ideas to deal with the
See MoreKenya: Government has banned the exportation of maize
The Kenya Revenue Authority has been issued a public notice on 26 January 2017 to inform all exporters, customs agents and the general public that the government prohibited the exportation of maize until further
See MoreWTO Director General discusses issues in global trade
At the World Trade Symposium of 7 June 2016 on “Trade and Globalization in the Twenty First Century: The Path to Greater Inclusion” the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) spoke about current progress and remaining issues in
See MoreWTO: Negotiations on agricultural issues
Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have identified a set of broad issues for continuing negotiations on agricultural issues and have emphasized the importance of agricultural issues for developing countries. The Nairobi decision
See MoreU.S. Chamber of Commerce Strengthens Commitment to U.S.-Brazil Relationship
The United States Chamber of Chamber (USCC)-affiliated Brazil-US Business Council (BUSBC) signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) to conduct studies on a potential trade agreement and report back
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