Archive for the ‘News’ Category

China, International Trade, News

October 5, 2023

The International Trade Council reports that a significant portion of the unprecedented physical delivery of sugar by commodities traders upon the expiration of the October futures contract on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) will be directed to China, based on information provided by two traders familiar with the transactions.   Wilmar International, the Singapore-based food trader […]

The International Trade Council reports that the U.S. economy has experienced positive developments, with the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits showing a moderate increase last week and a decline in layoffs throughout September. These indicators point to ongoing tight labor market conditions as the third quarter came to a close.   […]

News, Trade Policy

October 4, 2023

GENEVA (International trade Council) – The WTO Chairs Programme officially issued a call for applications on October 4th to expand the network of academic institutions from developing and least-developed economies currently involved in the Programme. This initiative follows the announcement made by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, last year, indicating a more frequent […]

Agricultural Trade, News

October 4, 2023

GENEVA – Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has urged member nations to intensify their efforts toward achieving a potential outcome on cotton for the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled for February. During her address at the “World Cotton Day 2023” event hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) […]

China, Europe, News, Trade Relations

October 4, 2023

The European Commission has taken a significant step by launching an anti-subsidy investigation into the import of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. The investigation’s primary objective is to assess whether value chains related to BEVs in China benefit from unlawful subsidization, and whether this subsidization poses a genuine economic threat to BEV producers within […]

From September 20 to 26, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves led a delegation of 15 American companies on a Cybersecurity Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan. This mission followed President Biden’s Trilateral Summit with President Yoon of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida of Japan. During his visit to Seoul, Deputy […]

MANCHESTER, England – British business and trade minister, Kemi Badenoch, has conveyed her perspective on the possibility of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and the United States under President Joe Biden’s administration. She cited the President’s stance on such agreements as a key factor.   President Biden has temporarily halted FTA […]

News, Trade Policy

October 3, 2023

In a recent address at the Vine and Wine World Trade Forum in Dijon, France, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam shared insights into the shifting dynamics of global trade and its implications for businesses and international institutions. Paugam highlighted the significance of strengthening the multilateral trading system embodied in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address […]

Agricultural Trade, News

October 3, 2023

Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Turkey, Chair of the agriculture negotiations at the WTO, provided an update to WTO members on October 2-3 regarding the status of agriculture negotiations and outlined plans to advance these discussions. The International Trade Council takes note of these developments, which are crucial in shaping the path towards the 13th Ministerial […]

International Trade, News

October 3, 2023

In a recent address at the John Snow Society’s Pumphandle Lecture, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighted the critical intersection of global health equity and international trade. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala discussed the role of trade in addressing health challenges and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to ensure equitable […]

The United States and the United Kingdom have embarked on discussions concerning a prospective “foundational trade partnership.” This partnership encompasses various dimensions, including digital trade, labor protections, and agriculture, marking a significant stride in bolstering economic connections between the two nations.   Distinguishing itself from a comprehensive free trade agreement, this partnership does not assure […]

Economic Trends, News

October 2, 2023

In a recent address at an event in Geneva, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), expressed concerns about early signs of potential global trade fragmentation. Okonjo-Iweala cautioned against practices like ‘reshoring’ and ‘friendshoring’ occurring between trade blocs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a connected global trade landscape. “While we don’t yet see […]

Brazil, E-commerce Development, News

October 2, 2023

BRASILIA – In a recent release of government data, Brazil announced that its trade surplus for September reached an all-time high, although it fell just short of market forecasts.   According to the data unveiled on Monday, Brazil’s trade surplus for September amounted to $8.9 billion, narrowly missing the $9.2 billion surplus predicted in a […]

News, Trade Policy

October 2, 2023

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is currently facing significant challenges, with mounting unresolved disputes and increasing concerns among its member nations. This situation underscores the critical issues the organization is grappling with. Since late 2019, the WTO has been dealing with the repercussions of the United States’ decision to block the appointment of new judges […]