DGA Group’s Post

United States Trade Representative Tai gave a speech yesterday at the Center for American Progress that included some insightful comments on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (#IPEF). She emphasised that IPEF is "not a traditional trade deal" and not about "maximum tariff liberalization that contributed to the hollowing out of our industrial heartland". I'm excited for the new ideas and approaches being tried out in initiatives such as IPEF - but also think we shouldn't downplay what "traditional" agreements were and are able to achieve. 🔎 USTR Tai highlighted some great tangible outcomes that IPEF is seeking to deliver. This includes on paperless trading and other forms of trade facilitation, regulatory transparency, and what sounds like SPS/TBT rules in agriculture. As USTR Tai says, these are things that can deliver real improvements for businesses trading internationally and help improve the accessibility of international trade. 🚧 However, it's long been recognised that barriers to trade come in a variety of forms and that non-tariff measures can create serious obstacles to trade even if tariffs are removed. Indeed, "traditional trade agreements" have increasingly tried to address these matters with provisions on trade facilitation, paperless trading, and regulatory transparency playing a key part. 🔑 So IPEF's attempt to address these issues is laudable but is not necessarily a massive break with past practice. 👍 Hopefully IPEF's focus will mean it can achieve better rules in these areas that go beyond what we've seen before (even without the incentive of market access and the complexities around dispute settlement). I'm also sure there are other innovations being discussed next week in Kuala Lumpur when IPEF negotiators meet - for example, "resilience" outcomes will be interesting to watch. "Traditional trade agreements" have been key to unlocking economic growth, through both market access commitments and also regulatory collaboration and trade facilitation rules. And there is much more governments and business can be doing to better leverage existing agreements. It's great to see IPEF providing a new avenue to contribute to this. But let's not entirely throw out or rubbish past achievements! You can read USTR Tai's full speech here ➡ https://lnkd.in/gB9nzeDS

#Economic diplomats engage in bilateral and multilateral forums such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), regional #trade blocs, and economic summits to advance their country's economic interests, negotiate trade deals, and address #global economic challenges. Sand K. Mba World Trade Organization

Dear friends and colleagues, Eduardo Grajales and I would like to share a brief Note that we prepared for our international clients, regarding the international trade perspective within the new Presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum. #GT #GTInterantionalTrade #Mexico #tradepolicy

Excited for this discussion on labor and international trade.

Worth registering for to get some insider views on the future of trade and labor.

Join senior International Trade practice members Jayme White, Jennifer McCadney, John Foote, and Josh Kagan for a one-hour discussion on the evolving importance of labor issues in the context of international trade. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eXEW3N8k #InternationalTrade

How can the EU rethink its trade policies in light of its foreign policy ambitions? (Re)watch our fifth ENGAGE webinar featuring Ignacio García Bercero, Vera Thorstensen, & Chad Damro, in a discussion moderated by Gustavo G. Müller 👇 engage-eu.eu/e11

Zoë Weaver-Lee dissected China's trade tactics at 'Geoeconomic Strategy for US-Taiwan Partnership.' Explore her analysis on geopolitical maneuvering in the event's full discussion. https://ow.ly/wuXv50QncI5

🚨 Together with Europe Unlocked, we cordially invite you to the conference "Trading Up: How can EU Trade Policy Lead to Better Market Access and More Resilient Sourcing?". 🌐 While there are several challenges to the world economy – war and geopolitical rivalry, to name just two – global growth remains healthy and there are opportunities for EU firms to sell abroad and improve their international competitiveness. 🇪🇺 Global threats and new protectionism need to be addressed – also by #trade policy. But there is also a strong case to be made for Europe leading on new international agreements that reduce market-access barriers and raises economic growth. ❓ What should be core parts of EU trade policy in the next five years? What can it do with partners to reduce trade barriers and improve sourcing? Can there be a unity between trade and security – between Adam Smith and Niccolo Machiavelli – that helps Europe to respond to needs of economic growth and more power? 🗣 Speakers include Dr Sabine Weyand, Director General at the European Commission’s DG Trade. 📄 Full programme will be released in a few days. 📆 Tuesday, 14 May 2024 🕘 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM CET 📍 Martin's Brussels EU - Bd Charlemagne 80, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Register now ➡ https://lnkd.in/dP-aepvf