G7 leaders agreed a wide-ranging statement on economic resilience and economic security at their recent summit in Japan. The breadth of issues put under this heading contents is a problem and risks simply becoming a laundry list of concerns about China. The European Commission, preparing its own communication on the …
Author: David Henig
Perspectives: Friend-shoring is no substitute for having global trade rules
There is talk of a new ‘Washington consensus’ on trade as spelled out in a recent speech by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. This Washington view partly overlaps with the EU’s new approach to trade policy. But their new position of domestic industry above anything else will not deliver …
Perspectives: What a Labour government would mean for UK trade policy
Brussels is taking a greater interest in what a change of government in the United Kingdom next year might mean for cross-Channel relations. Comfortably ahead in opinion polls, the Labour Party hasn’t focused much on trade – but greater focus on Europe is likely.
Perspectives: Why the EU shouldn’t follow the UK into CPTPP
Now that the UK is set to join the 11 country Asia Pacific trade pact CPTPP, some commentators have suggested the EU should follow. But there are better alternatives for EU CPTPP trade engagement, starting with deepening dialogue on new trade policy issues.
Perspectives: The EU’s difficult balancing act between free trade and greening the economy
Amidst all the wrangling about free trade vs the environment in the European Union, we risk ending with more protectionism and less ambitious environmental policies.
Perspectives: UK trade policy – stronger opposition needed for better results
Recent changes to the powers of the United Kingdom’s Trade Remedies Authority and last-minute hiccups in its prized accession to the CPTPP hide a deeper truth about the country’s trade policy.
Perspectives: Green and resilient industry challenge requires stable policy mix
EU policy makers need to think more long-term about their policy mix to achieve industrial competitiveness, greening and resilience. Knee-jerk reactions to what others are doing are not the way to go.
Perspectives: We can say good-bye to Singapore-on-Thames
As the EU moves closer to ensuring it has the power to take swift action against the UK in case of breaches of Brexit agreements, the likelihood it will need to do so is receding. In particular, fears over large-scale deregulation through the UK’s proposed Retained EU Law Bill are …
Perspectives: Adjusting to a new world of trade rules
Complexity and ambiguity are the new reality of global trade policy.
Perspectives: Northern Ireland – What’s needed to get a deal over the line
The EU and the UK are investing strongly in finding an arrangement to address some British concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiated in the 2019 Brexit agreement. As things stand, reaching a deal will be very difficult. Succeeding however would draw a big prize for the UK’s diplomatic relationships …