Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa’s Post

Trade officials from across Africa recently got together to address key factors and trade challenges in various areas such as agriculture, regional trade, fisheries subsidies, and WTO reforms. Participants of the Commonwealth African Regional Preparatory Workshop in Kigali discussed ways in which African countries would collaborate in promoting the interests of the global market, and within the World Trade Organisation. Discover more here: https://bit.ly/3SU4Cd3 #WTO #Trade #RegionalTrade #TradeRelations

🚩Australia's trade deal with the EU collapsed yesterday I wrote about overcoming this for the University of Oxford Politics Blog a while back. Have a read below 👇 #EU #Australia #DFAT #foreignpolicy

Last week, the World Trade Organisation's (#WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (#MC13) held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Here is a highlight of what happened. - The Conference brought together early 4,000 participants from 164 WTO members and observers, along with civil society, business, and media, attended the Ministerial Conference. - The Conference was extended beyond its initial schedule (26-29 February) to finalize discussions. - Adoption of the Abu Dhabi #MinisterialDeclaration, committing to strengthen the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. - The declaration emphasizes development and recognizes the role of #trade in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, including the importance of women's economic empowerment. - Acknowledgment of the vital role of services in the global economy and the directive for WTO bodies to learn from #Covid19 to prepare for future pandemics. - The UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Trade thanked members for their engagement and noted that, though all delegations didn't achieve their goals, members' commitment will strengthen the multilateral trading system. - Agreement on a decision to #reform the dispute settlement system, with the view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024. - Ministerial Decision to review and improve special and differential treatment for developing LDCs, making it more precise and effective. - Discussion on trade's relation to sustainable development and socioeconomic inclusion, highlighting the role of trade in empowering women, MSMEs, and sustainable development. - Formal approval of WTO membership for #Comoros and #Timorleste, the first new members in almost eight years. - Decision on measures to assist the graduation of least-developed countries and reiterating the commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economies. - Adoption of a decision to review the #Ecommerce Work Programme and extend the moratorium (temporary suspension) on customs duties on electronic transmissions until MC14 or 31 March 2026. - Extension of the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints under the #TRIPS Agreement until MC14. - Progress on the #Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, with South Africa and ten other members formalizing their acceptance. - Inability to find consensus on agriculture issues, including public stockholding for food security and flexibility for vulnerable countries regarding food imports. - Acknowledgment of the conference's achievements and challenges against a backdrop of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, with a call to continue work in Geneva. https://lnkd.in/eB2xYYKA

EU palm oil ban: Malaysia, Indonesia seek trade justice Key Takeaways 1) WTO ruling criticises EU's approach as discriminatory and arbitrary, but favours its right to set environmental regulations on crop-based fuels, including palm oil. 2) Malaysia and Indonesia's complaints against EU's palm oil policies highlight concerns over protectionism and unfair treatment in trade relations. 3) The ruling underscores the importance of dialogue between the EU and palm oil-producing nations to address trade disputes and environmental concerns. Read more here: https://buff.ly/3PugLTL

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Navigating the currents of trade policy updates. Explore the recent incorporation for Non-basmati rice exports under HS Code 1006 30 90. From legal frameworks to one-time exemptions, discover the impacts and industry responses. Stay informed, stay connected! #TradePolicy #ExportUpdate

The Latin American Regional Report: Our monthly report consolidating the coverage from our primary publications into the four main regions of Latin America. Mexico Articles in this issue: Introduction Ayotzinapa investigation falls on more hard times Vaquita marina numbers remain a concern Anti-migrant river barrier sparks backlash Much needed changes to fintech regulation remain distant Gov’t likely to reduce electoral budget despite key elections Temporary import tariffs could harm investment First USMCA labour dispute panel to set important precedent Trade dispute over biotech crops escalates Economic highlights #mexico #politics #economy

"The gain is the diplomatically enhanced tie with all the CPTPP countries. However, when it comes to economic benefit, this is very modest. We cannot predict certainty but the losers are likely to be the agricultural sector and semi-processed agricultural food" says Minako Morita-Jaeger, PhD on the basic principles of UK trade policy and the geopolitical gain for the UK in its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) deal. Watch the oral evidence here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ebnXvqEQ

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When seeking truth from facts in the seafood industry gets you punished for harming national security... "The MSS [Ministry of State Security] pointed out that this trade protectionism disguised as environmentalism is a carefully designed political conspiracy that should be guarded against." [...] "After returning to China, Li, under the command of overseas forces, established a commercial consulting company specializing in collecting information on China's seafood industrial chain and supply chain and "evaluating" the social responsibility of Chinese companies. [...] Li had repeatedly received instructions from overseas forces and fabricated "evidence" of environmental problems in China's seafood industry, playing an important role in instigating relevant countries to enact trade restriction laws.  Li has been punished by national security agencies in accordance with the law for engaging in activities that harm national security." https://lnkd.in/egs5Qe5K