Archive for the ‘News’ Category

International Trade, News, United States

December 18, 2023

Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, held a significant meeting with Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, during her inaugural official visit to Brazil. This meeting serves to further bolster the bilateral and commercial relations between the United States and Brazil.   Building upon the meetings between […]

International Trade, News

December 18, 2023

Informal discussions aimed at reforming the WTO’s dispute settlement rules are approaching a conclusion, with members being informed that the “finish line is within reach.” These talks were the focus of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting held on December 18th.   Marco Molina, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the WTO, reported on […]

News, Trade Policy, United States

December 18, 2023

In a bid to address concerns over increased reliance on China, Senator Joe Manchin, Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is calling for Congress to vote on reversing recent Treasury Department guidance related to electric vehicle (EV) tax credits. This guidance, issued earlier this month, has the potential to make it easier […]

News, Trade Policy

December 18, 2023

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has urged Brazil to take steps to enhance the potential growth of its economy by addressing mandatory spending and trade barriers, according to its latest Economic Survey of Brazil.   The OECD’s report pointed out that Brazil has made little progress in implementing the organization’s advice from […]

International Trade, News

December 18, 2023

The 2023 edition of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Young Professionals Programme (YPP) reached its inspiring conclusion, as WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala extended her heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the 17 talented individuals who participated in this year’s cohort. The farewell ceremony, a celebratory event held to mark the official closure of the program, […]

International Trade, Japan, News

December 17, 2023

Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Tokyo for a special summit on Sunday, marking the 50th anniversary of official Japan-ASEAN ties. The summit adopted a joint vision highlighting security and economic cooperation while upholding the rule of law, especially in the context of rising tensions in regional waters […]

  In a significant diplomatic move, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced his upcoming visit to Sydney on Wednesday to meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to enhancing their security and economic cooperation.   Luxon, who took office as prime minister earlier this month, […]

International Trade, Japan, Malaysia, News

December 16, 2023

In a significant move aimed at enhancing regional security and cooperation, Japan and Malaysia have officially sealed a security assistance deal, underlining their commitment to bolstering maritime security in the face of evolving challenges, including regional dynamics related to China.   On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Japan and Malaysia signed the agreement, which includes […]

Australia, International Trade, News

December 16, 2023

Australia’s government expressed confidence on Sunday that the punitive tariffs imposed by China on Australian wine in 2021 would be removed early next year, providing a significant boost to Australian winemakers.   Trade Minister Don Farrell conveyed his optimism in an interview with Sky News television, stating, “I would be very confident that early in […]

Indonesia, International Trade, Japan, News

December 16, 2023

In a significant development aimed at fostering stronger economic ties, Indonesia and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on protocols to enhance their bilateral economic agreements, as announced by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Saturday.   Under these agreements, Japan has committed to granting greater market access to Indonesian products. This includes the removal of […]

China, Geopolitics, News, United States

December 14, 2023

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has outlined her key priorities for managing U.S.-China relations in the coming year, which include plans for a second visit to China and efforts to accelerate collaboration on climate risks and financial markets.   In remarks prepared for a dinner hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council, Yellen emphasized that the […]

Economic Development, Kuwait, News

December 14, 2023

The Regional Trade and Public Health Workshop held in Kuwait from December 10 to 14 brought together 28 senior officials specializing in health, intellectual property, and trade from WTO Arab and Middle East member countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The workshop, hosted by the International Monetary Fund Middle East Center for Economics and […]

International Trade, News

December 13, 2023

On December 13, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Makhtar Diop, unveiled a jointly published report titled “Trade Finance in the Mekong Region.” The report underscores the critical need to expand trade finance in the Mekong-3 countries, namely Cambodia, Lao People’s […]