Urbanization is rarely a neat, linear process. Cities swell in fits and starts, often outpacing the plans drawn up by planners or the hopes of policymakers. For those seeking to understand not just how much cities are growing, but what that growth actually looks like on the ground, ISIC 4120—covering the construction of residential and […]
The International Trade Council announces that Guernsey and Jersey will have access to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on trade once the UK leaves the EU. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has notified the WTO of the extension of its formal territory to cover the Channel Islands. The extension will grant island businesses access […]
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has significantly reduced its trade growth forecast for 2019, warning that ongoing trade wars and slower growth in major economies could negatively impact living standards and employment. The organization now predicts a 1.2% growth in trade volumes this year, a considerable drop from its earlier 2.6% projection. The WTO has […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the UK has signed an economic partnership agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACU+M). The agreement ensures continued free trade between the UK and South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, and Mozambique after Brexit. Businesses in both regions will benefit from […]
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 […]
The story of advertising in 2019 is, at its core, a story of digital migration. As brands poured resources into online platforms, agencies adapted—some with ease, others with urgency. But beneath the headlines and the creative sizzle, analysts and policymakers faced the perennial question: How fast is this shift happening, and where is the momentum […]
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 […]
Global trade in staple goods—food, beverages, and tobacco—rarely commands headlines, but it is the unseen engine behind everything from food security to macroeconomic stability. In 2019, shifts in wholesale trade flows told a story not only of market trends, but also of policy moves and changing consumer preferences. For analysts trying to map these currents, […]
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. […]
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 […]
In a world increasingly driven by automation and electrification, the global trade in electric motors is both a barometer and a driver of industrial change. For economists, policymakers, and industry strategists, understanding the movement of these products in 2018 and 2019 requires more than simply scanning export tallies. ISIC 2710—covering the manufacture of electric motors—offers […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
E-commerce has always moved fast, but in Southeast Asia, 2019 felt like a turning point. The region saw digital marketplaces multiply, payment apps rise, and a new cohort of small businesses take their first steps online. For regulators and policymakers across the ASEAN bloc, the challenge was not just to keep up, but to quantify […]