Despite what World Trade Organization head Roberto Azevêdo calls “substantial risks that threaten the world economy”, WTO members including the EU introduced fewer trade-restricting measures in the 12 months through mid-October. Governments imposed measures such as new or higher tariffs, customs procedures, quotas and local content requirements an average of …
Author: Jennifer Freedman
Week ahead in EU trade: TDI, Brexit, Mercosur, CETA, torture goods
This week could seal the fate of quite a few EU trade policy files: the overhaul of the EU’s dumping regulation, the EU Mercosur trade deal and the Brexit talks. TDI reform agreement? Expectations are high that the EU will announce a deal tomorrow on the overhaul of …
EU, US disagree about value of Global Forum steel deal
The world’s leading economies have agreed on an “important and effective package” to dismantle market-distorting aid, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström says. But the US sees it differently, contending that the agreement reached by the Group of 20’s Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity is superficial and inadequate to address steel …
Beyond Brussels: ISDS, NAFTA, China MES, solar panels
In trade news from outside the EU this week, we have: ISDS: A working group of countries organized under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law is discussing a possible revamp of the investor-state dispute settlement system during a week-long meeting in Vienna that ends today. The effort …
China-EU proceedings in market economy WTO dispute kick off
Don’t expect the World Trade Organization to rule any time soon on China’s challenge of the EU’s free-market rules. Well over four months have passed since the three panellists who will adjudicate the case were appointed, but the panel is only holding its first meeting next week. That meeting is …
Week ahead in EU trade: Mexico, Mercosur, steel forum, Africa summit, WTO
This is a big week for EU trade negotiators, who will be putting their collective noses to the grindstone as they work toward a year-end goal to clinch agreements with Mexico and Mercosur. Momentum is building for the parties to be able to announce at the World Trade Organization’s December …
Beyond Brussels: NAFTA, MC11, North Korea sanctions, TPP
Welcome to our new weekly feature ‘Beyond Brussels’, which provides an overview of the previous week’s trade news outside of the Belgian capital. Many of the issues included in this column may not directly affect the EU now, but trade is a funny beast that spreads its tentacles in many …
Week ahead in EU trade: Eastern Partners, Mercosur, digital, WTO
The EU’s Eastern Partnership, the Mercosur talks, digital, and the WTO’s appellate body crisis will be among this week’s highlights in EU trade. The week in trade will also be overshadowed by the breakdown of German coalition talks, leaving an empty leadership seat in Europe. Armenia pact The …
In brief: Fox stresses UK loyalty to WTO during talks with Wolff, Carim
British International Trade Secretary Liam Fox held talks with a range of high-level officials in Geneva today and yesterday, with his main message being a reiteration of the UK’s commitment to the World Trade Organization and global commerce. Following a busy day of discussions with officials including WTO Deputy …
Week ahead in EU trade: TDI new method and modernisation, fisheries subsidies
All eyes will be on the European Parliament this week, when the assembly votes on dumping measures designed to protect EU jobs and industry. The Parliament’s trade committee approved the compromise agreement with the Council and the European Commission last month, and the legislation could enter into force this year …
