There have been concerns that the regulation draft the European Union released today in response to the United States might contain discriminatory and WTO-incompatible provisions. At first sight, the Net Zero Industry Act does not appear to do so. However, the way the regulation’s provisions on ‘access to markets’ are …
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Week in London: CPTPP’s agriculture quota dilemmas, easing Mode 4, cheap-ish food
More details are emerging on where the final hurdles lie in getting the United Kingdom’s CPTPP accession over the line.
EU eyes critical raw material duty suspensions as part of new strategy
The European Commission released today a long-announced critical raw materials communication and a flanking Critical Raw Materials Act. The document spells out how the EU is planning to reduce its vulnerability to disruptions to critical raw materials supplies as demand for these products is inexorably rising as it rolls out …
WTO: China calls for ‘dedicated’ discussions on green trade barriers
China took the initiative on trade and climate this week in Geneva. Beijing is calling for the creation a platform for ‘multilateral dedicated discussions’ on the trade implications of environmentally-focused trade measures such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
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.
EU, Thailand relaunch free trade talks
The EU and Thailand today formally announced they will relaunch negotiations towards a free trade agreement. A first round of negotiations is due to take place “in the coming months”.
THINK TANK: Solar, China and embedded carbon; Korea-ASEAN, trade facilitation and fish
One of the most interesting publications of trade policy think tanks and research institutions this week is by the Hinrich Foundation and delves into the global solar panel supply chain. The OECD has updated its trade facilitation database and the International Institute for Sustainable Development has released a detailed explainer …
Week Ahead: EU-India, Thailand, raw materials, net zero industry, TRIPS, UK Oz and NZ
A dense week ahead in trade policy in Europe. By Rob Francis, Chris Horseman and Iana Dreyer.
Opinion: Stop obsessing about Washington, make better climate, China policies
The European Commission obtained very little from Washington in terms of concessions on the Inflation Reduction Act this week. There is in fact, little the EU can do to see the United States change course. In many ways the whole diplomatic episode around US clean tech subsidies that began in …
WTO: Boost for interim appeals scheme as Japan joins MPIA
The WTO dispute settlement system has received a boost with the announcement by Japan that it is signing up to the multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement, or MPIA.