• The EU-US trade negotiation is the ultimate test for EU climate goals

    The EU-US trade negotiation is the ultimate test for EU climate goals0

    On Monday, 15 April the Council decided to adopt the negotiating directives for trade talks with the United States on a Free Trade Agreement. Now concerns are raised regarding the US administrations departure from its commitments to combat climate change envisaged in the Paris Agreement. On the other hand, supporters of the FTA argue that due to the current state of international trade it would be important to reach such an agreement to avoid further escalation. However, when it comes to trade the EU has failed to observe its climate commitments as part of negotiating schedules, questioning its willingness to be in the forefront of the fight against climate change.

    READ MORE
  • To improve is to change. Can the WTO be reformed?

    To improve is to change. Can the WTO be reformed?0

    In the end of September, a group of senior trade officials met in Geneva, to initiate a preparatory discussion on the future of the WTO. The debate will be further addressed on October 24-25 at ministerial level by 13 WTO members, a.k.a. the “coalition of the willing”, including the EU, Canada and Japan. Calls for reform spread as Trump’s administration stubbornly blocked the Dispute Settlement System for years, reaching a breaking point last month.

    READ MORE
  • Welcome to the jungle: Trump’s plan for international trade

    Welcome to the jungle: Trump’s plan for international trade0

    President Donald Trump is consistently trying to wear out the multilateral trading system in order to capitalize on US position of economic power against its trading partners. Does it sound very mercantilist? It does, and it is.

    READ MORE
  • Not all that is trade glitters

    Not all that is trade glitters0

    The fifth round of negotiations between the EU and Indonesia on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was held in Brussels in July 2018. Despite being at early stages, the negotiations prompted heated debate and strong opposition from international NGOs, as the Commission has poorly addressed major issues related to environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable investment and development.

    READ MORE
  • Chlorine chicken on British plates?

    Chlorine chicken on British plates?0

    Back when I was living in Vietnam, I bought and cooked a pale looking chicken, which left large rashes over my hands. I never got to know what exactly caused this reaction, but this experience reinforced my cautiousness regarding transformed foodstuff and my aversion for chlorine chicken. This feeling is shared by many across Europe, including in the UK where 82% of the population recently declared they would rather ditch a trade deal with the US than let chlorine chicken into their plates. However, this agreement is very likely to happen, and citizens may not have a say in the matter.

    READ MORE
  • Environment & trade agreements: a peaceful coexistence?

    Environment & trade agreements: a peaceful coexistence?0

    Trade facilitation enhances environmental degradation, and this has to be addressed by policy makers. The noxious impact of trade on the environment is undeniable: it generates pollution through transportation (one of the most harmful economic sectors) and by fostering large-scale production for greater growth.

    READ MORE

Latest Posts