As part of a new series of ‘Round Up Surveys’, TKE is asking trade experts from across the public and private sector for their opinions on topical trade issues, including Lord Gus O’Donnell, David Henig, and Dr Peter Holmes. Our first Round Up comes in the wake of President Trump’s comment that “trade wars are […]
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Customs arrangements and post-Brexit trade policy: What are the options?
Customs arrangements and post-Brexit trade policy: What are the options? Theresa May’s cabinet has met this week in another of its recurring “crunch meetings” on its future position vis a vis the EU. The main bone of contention is the question of customs arrangements. Theresa May has already ruled out continuing membership of the EU’s […]
Read moreThe Role of Regulatory Cooperation in the Future of the WTO
The emergence of global value chains (GVCs) and global public goods presents an opportunity for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to play a larger role in international regulatory cooperation. This paper identifies the circumstances and modalities where the WTO is most likely to be successful. First, it assesses the circumstances in which international regulatory cooperation is best […]
Read moreTrade, War and Trade Wars
Donald Trump’s decision to repudiate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed with Iran has not only precipitated a security crisis, it will also further ratchet up tensions in world trade. Trade is a fundamental part of the deal, for Iran, but also the European Union. In just two years, EU exports to Iran increased […]
Read moreHow can the UK be most effective in its new role as an independent member of the WTO?
WTO membership and the European Union It is commonly (and loosely) said either that at the point of withdrawal from the European Union the United Kingdom will need to join the WTO as an independent member; or that the UK will resume its original WTO seat as an independent member. Neither proposition is strictly true. […]
Read moreThe Shifting Focus of International Trade Negotiations
Originally international trade agreements were about reducing tariffs on trade in goods, but with growing globalisation and since the Tokyo Round Agreements in 1973 non-tariff issues such as standards, investment and employment rights have become equally, or more, important in negotiation both multilaterally and in regional associations.
Read moreBananas and Brexit: The Trade Policy Dilemmas That Lie Ahead
Guest author for the TKE and agricultural trade expert Chris Horseman writes about bananas and Brexit. This article contemplates what the UK might do about its external trade regime after Brexit, and uses the example of bananas to illustrate some of the challenges.
Read moreThe Long Kiss Goodnight
The Long Kiss Goodnight: Negotiating the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Amar Breckenridge discusses the current state of affairs of UK-EU negotiations.
Read moreShow Me the Money
Show me the Money: Prospects for United Kingdom and EU cooperation on Financial Services post-Brexit Draft Guidelines for the second phase of Brexit negotiations were submitted to the European Council on 7 March 2018, for adoption on 23 March. In them the EU lays down tight limits for negotiation of the UK’s withdrawal agreement and […]
Read moreTrump Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium
President Trump announced on 1 March that he would impose tariffs respectively of 25% and 10% on US imports of steel and aluminium. The backdrop to this dramatic action is of course the longstanding decline in US steel production, together with the sustained impact on world steel markets of Chinese overcapacity in the sector. The […]
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