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Japan, News, Trade Agreements, United States

The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the United States and Japan, the world’s first and third largest economies, have reached an initial trade agreement that will lower or eliminate tariffs on certain products traded between the two nations. The deal will benefit agricultural goods and digital products, with duties on some […]

UK Government Announces Plans for 10 Free Ports Post-Brexit

August 2, 2019

News, Trade Policy, United Kingdom

The International Trade Council has noted the UK government’s plans to establish up to 10 free ports across the country following Brexit. Free ports allow firms to import goods and re-export them outside standard tax and customs regulations, fostering trade and economic growth. The last UK free ports were in operation in 2012, and Prime […]

EU and Mercosur Reach Landmark Trade Deal After Two Decades of Negotiations

June 28, 2019

Europe, News, Trade Policy

The International Trade Council is thrilled to announce that the European Union (EU) and the South American economic bloc Mercosur have reached a monumental trade agreement after 20 years of negotiations. The deal represents the EU’s largest to date and demonstrates a commitment to rules-based trade amid ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. […]

India Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on US Products

June 15, 2019

India, News, Trade Policy, United States

The International Trade Council acknowledges India’s decision to impose tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds and apples, effective from Sunday. These new duties, with some reaching as high as 70%, are a response to Washington’s refusal to exempt Delhi from higher taxes on steel and aluminum imports. Earlier this month, US President Trump announced […]

UK Secures First Post-Brexit Free Trade Agreement with South Korea

June 10, 2019

News, South Korea, Trade Agreements

The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the United Kingdom has signed a preliminary free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, the first post-Brexit trade deal secured by the UK in Asia. The agreement seeks to maintain existing trade arrangements and provide stability under a no-deal Brexit scenario. International Trade Secretary Liam […]

US Terminates Preferential Trade Status for India Amid Tariff Dispute

June 1, 2019

India, News, Trade Policy, United States

The International Trade Council acknowledges President Donald Trump’s confirmation that the US will end preferential trade status for India next week. Until now, India has been the largest beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which allowed $5.6 billion worth of exports to enter the US duty-free. In March, President Trump announced the […]

US-China Trade War: Tensions Rising

May 29, 2019

China, News, Trade Relations, United States

In light of the ongoing US-China trade war, the International Trade Council is offering insights into potential strategies that Beijing could employ to destabilize President Trump’s approach. Drawing inspiration from Chinese history and ancient strategic manual The Art of War, we delve into a range of tactics that China could utilize in response to the […]

International Trade Council: “World Markets React to US-China Trade Tensions”

May 9, 2019

China, News, Trade Relations, United States

The International Trade Council is closely monitoring the impact of US-China trade tensions on global markets. As President Trump vows to double tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods, stock markets worldwide have experienced significant losses. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index lost 1.5% on Wednesday, following a 1.8% drop in the Dow Jones. European markets also […]

Enhancing SME Support Programs with ISIC Insights

April 17, 2019

No one doubts the importance of small and medium enterprises—SMEs—in driving employment and economic diversification. They feature in nearly every ministerial speech, every multilateral policy report, and every five-year economic plan. But the persistence of generic, one-size-fits-all support measures suggests a gap: the reality is that SMEs are anything but homogenous. Their challenges differ sharply […]

Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Maintains Momentum at APEC Summit Despite US Withdrawal

November 11, 2018

News, Trade Agreements, United States

The International Trade Council commends the continuous progress made by member countries of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam, in spite of the absence of the United States following President Trump’s decision to withdraw. During the APEC summit, President Trump reiterated his ‘America First’ stance, […]

Evaluating Informal Sector Formalization through ISIC Registration Trends

October 31, 2018

The informal sector is a defining feature of many economies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is a space where millions of people make their livelihoods—often outside the reach of regulation, taxation, and basic legal protections. For governments, the drive to formalize these businesses is both a policy imperative and a formidable challenge. Increasingly, […]

ISIC Codes in National Statistical Surveys: Methodological Considerations

October 20, 2018

If the integrity of economic data rests on a single pillar, it is probably the accuracy of industry classification. For decades, national statistical agencies have relied on the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system to bring order to the messy diversity of economic activity. ISIC is now the bedrock of headline statistics—GDP, productivity, employment, wage […]

Financial Inclusion: Mapping Microfinance Demand by ISIC Sectors

July 15, 2018

For decades, the promise of microfinance has captured the imagination of development economists, policymakers, and practitioners alike. Yet while microfinance institutions (MFIs) have expanded access to credit for millions, questions persist about how to make their outreach both broader and deeper—especially in diverse and underserved communities. Increasingly, the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system is […]

EU Prepared to Dispute New U.S. Tariffs at World Trade Organization

March 14, 2018

Europe, News, United States

The International Trade Council acknowledges the European Union’s (EU) intended course of action to challenge the newly imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO). President Donald Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on these vital industries has generated a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly within […]

Potential US-China Trade War Poses Risks to Global Economic Expansion

March 12, 2018