Author Archive

Brazil, News, Trade Policy

December 12, 2023

In a significant move aimed at advancing South American integration and enhancing trade while reducing transportation time to Asia, the Brazilian government has successfully orchestrated the raising of $10 billion from multilateral and development banks for infrastructure projects.   The Brazilian development bank, BNDES, is set to contribute $3 billion to this endeavor, primarily for […]

Chile, News, Trade Policy

December 12, 2023

Chile has taken a significant step in the realm of international trade and environmental conservation by formally accepting the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. On December 12th, Chile’s Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Claudia Sanhueza Riveros, presented the instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the World Trade Organization (WTO).   Director-General Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Chile’s […]

International Trade, News

December 11, 2023

In a recent virtual agriculture symposium titled “Illicit Trade in Food and Food Fraud,” Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Jean-Marie Paugam, highlighted the crucial role of WTO rules in addressing the issue of illegal food trade. Paugam emphasized that the WTO’s rulebook provides a legal framework for international food trade, making it […]

Chinese President Xi Jinping has embarked on a two-day visit to Vietnam, seeking to bolster economic relations between the two nations. This visit follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent trip to Hanoi, highlighting the competition for influence in Southeast Asia between the world’s two major powers.   Xi’s visit, his first in six years, has […]

Economic Policy, News, Taiwan

December 11, 2023

Taiwan’s central bank is anticipated to maintain its current policy rate this week and throughout the entirety of 2024, as inflation gradually eases, according to a recent survey of economists conducted by Reuters. It is expected that the central bank will leave the benchmark discount rate unchanged at 1.875% during its upcoming quarterly meeting, with […]

Bilateral Trade Relation, News

December 10, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, engaged in fruitful discussions with China’s top officials in commerce and industry during a meeting held in Beijing on Sunday. The agenda revolved around enhancing cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, and technology, according to statements from the Chinese ministries.   Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed […]

News, Supply Chain

December 9, 2023

  Eight of the world’s leading commodities traders have made a significant commitment to cease purchasing soy from farms that harm South American grasslands, reinforcing their prior promises to avoid suppliers involved in forest clearing. This landmark announcement was made during the COP28 climate summit.   This pledge holds immense potential for the conservation of […]

International Trade, News

December 9, 2023

 A collaborative report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), released on December 9th, sheds light on the global hydrogen trade landscape and the policies required to escalate green hydrogen production. Green hydrogen, produced exclusively from renewable energy sources, has emerged as a pivotal element in the transition away […]

International Relations, News, Turkey

December 8, 2023

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has voiced concerns over a reported linkage between the export of drone cameras to Turkey and Sweden’s NATO membership bid, involving Canada and the United States. In an interview transcript released on Friday, Erdogan highlighted that both Canada and the United States were stipulating that Ankara ratify Sweden’s NATO membership bid […]

News, Trade Agreements

December 8, 2023

U.S. officials have initiated preliminary discussions to prepare for potential negotiations regarding the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as stated by David Cohen, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, in an interview with CBC News published on Saturday.   Ambassador Cohen disclosed that the United States has embarked on initial internal deliberations […]

In a significant diplomatic exchange, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, held a productive conversation with Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, with the aim of reinforcing bilateral and commercial ties between the two nations.   Secretary Raimondo warmly congratulated Minister Bolat on his recent appointment and conveyed the Department’s unwavering commitment to enhancing […]

News, Sustainability

December 8, 2023

At the conclusion of the final Fish Week held from December 4-8, WTO members reasserted their commitment to the ongoing fisheries subsidies negotiations. Despite being unable to reach a conclusive agreement by December, they expressed optimism about achieving a successful outcome at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled for February. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador […]

In a significant move aimed at bolstering national security, the U.S. Treasury has announced a formal agreement with Mexico’s finance ministry to cooperate on enhancing the screening of foreign investments. This collaborative effort includes the regular exchange of information regarding best practices in investment security.   The Biden administration has been actively promoting Mexico as […]

International Relations, News, Vietnam

December 7, 2023

China’s President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Vietnam on December 12-13, with the aim of meeting top state officials and further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry.   During the visit, discussions will center on a range of key areas, including political security, multilateral cooperation, […]