December 7, 2023

Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 14-21, 2018

Welcome to the Caribbean Trade and Development Digest for the week of January 14-21, 2018! We are pleased to share some of the major trade and development headlines and analysis across the Caribbean region and the World. We hope you enjoy this edition.

REGIONAL

LaRocque: EU assistance crucial to sustainable development

St. Kitts & Nevis Observer: CARICOM and CARIFORUM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said in his remarks at the launch of the 10th EDF CARIFORUM Crime and Security Programme Jan. 17 in Barbados that the “strength of cooperation” between the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean” is critical. Read more

United effort needed to fight crime

Barbados Advocate: Now more than ever, CARICOM countries need to remain united in their efforts to fight crime in all its dimensions. Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and CARIFORUM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, shared the above sentiments as he delivered remarks at the launch of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) CARIFORUM Crime and Security Cooperation Programme. Read more

Spotlight: CELAC eyes enormous benefits from China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative

Xinhua: With the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative grabbing headlines around the world over the past years, Latin America and the Caribbean is giving special attention to how the Initiative could be extended to the region. Read more

Commercial activity seen as main boost for CAL-Cuba route

LoopNews: Commercial activity is being seen as one of the motivating factors to fill Caribbean Airlines seats from Cuba. Read more

St. Vincent & the Grenadines to launch medical cannabis industry

LoopNews: St Vincent and the Grenadines is joining the emerging global market of medical cannabis with plans to amend legislation to allow for the export of the drug. Read more

CARICOM should ‘free up’ the herb

Antigua Observer: Given the global push to decriminalise marijuana, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, is saying that CARICOM countries should consider doing the same, looking at the laws of developed countries to customise them to suit the Caribbean environment. Read more

INTERNATIONAL

Malaysia trade ministry to approach WTO on EU move to limit palm oil use

Reuters: Malaysia, the world’s second-largest palm producer, said on Monday it would work with other producing countries to voice “strong concerns” to the World Trade Organization, following the European Union’s move to back a ban on using palm oil to make biofuels. Read more

Rona Ambrose: Trump nixing NAFTA is just a matter of ‘when’

CTVNews: Canada’s trade insiders say they are preparing for the worst when it comes to the fate of NAFTA, with one top adviser saying it’s only a matter of time before U.S. President Donald Trump pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Read more

Australia and Japan committed to signing Asia Pacific trade pact by March, Turnbull says

Todayonline: Australia and Japan are committed to signing an Asia Pacific trade deal by March with countries in the region ready to forge a pact to replace the derailed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday (Jan 18). Read more

USTR Releases Annual Reports on China’s and Russia’s WTO Compliance

USTR: The reports, delivered to Congress, are required by law and assess China’s and Russia’s implementation of their respective WTO commitments. Read more

Report: EU trade schemes promote economic development and human rights

EU News: The report published today jointly by the European Commission and the European External Action Service shows the positive impact of the European Union’s duty-rebate schemes on developing economies. Read more

WTO Arbitrator determines “reasonable period of time” in US-China anti-dumping dispute

WTO: On 19 January an Arbitrator issued his award regarding the “reasonable period of time” for implementing the recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in the dispute “United States – Certain Methodologies and Their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China” (WT/DS471).  Read more

Trump says terminating NAFTA would yield the ‘best deal’

CNBC: Trump’s comments come less than a week before trade negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico meet in Montreal for the sixth of seven scheduled rounds of negotiations to update NAFTA. Read more

France would have voted to leave EU too if in UK’s situation, French leader Macron says

CNBC: France would likely have followed the U.K. and also voted to leave the European Union if the opportunity had presented itself, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview Sunday. Read more

WTO compliance panel issues ruling regarding Chinese duties on US

WTO: On 18 January a WTO panel issued its compliance report in the dispute “China – Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Measures on Broiler Products from the United States — Recourse to Article 21.5 Of The DSU by the United States” (DS427). Read more

WTO: Australia has requested WTO consultations with Canada regarding measures maintained by the Canadian government and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia concerning the sale of wine. The request was circulated to WTO members on 16 January. Read more

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caribbeantradelaw

The Caribbean Trade Law and Development Blog is owned and was founded by Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. (Dist.), LL.B. (Hons), a Caribbean-based trade and development consultant. She writes and presents regularly on trade and development matters affecting the Caribbean and other small states. You can follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw. All views expressed on this Blog are Alicia's personal views and do NOT necessarily reflect the views of any institution or entity with which she may from time to time be affiliated.

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