Caribbean Trade Law and Development

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  • Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 15-21, 2017

    Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 15-21, 2017

    Source: Pixabay

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade and Development Digest for the week of January 15-21, 2017 where we share some of the major trade and development headlines from across the Caribbean and the world.

    And what a week it was! UK Prime Minister May has finally announced her Brexit plan and the UK Supreme Court announced it will deliver its ruling in the Article 50 Brexit Appeal this coming Tuesday. Globalisation took centre-stage at the Annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, while  top of mind was the inauguration of US President Donald Trump who was sworn in as the US’ 45th president, and that’s just the tip of iceberg!

    Below we present the major headlines. For past issues of our weekly Caribbean Trade & Development Digest, please visit here.

    To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

    REGIONAL HEADLINES

    CARICOM optimistic of Trump’s vision

    Trinidad Guardian: Caribbean states are hoping America’s new Donald Trump administration – taking over from today – will continue trade and security arrangements as well as other structures which have traditionally been in force between Caricom and the US. Read more 

    Dominican Republic applies definite AD on Chinese rebar 

    Steel Orbis: Dominican Republic’s Commission for Trade Defense announced it has applied a definite anti-dumping ad valorem duty on Chinese rebar. Read more

    Commerce nominee Ross; No position on Cuban embargo

    Washington Examiner: Wilbur Ross, the banker-turned-investor and President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Commerce Department, told a Senate hearing Wednesday that he has no position yet on handling trade with Cuba. Read more 

    Call for CARICOM agency to vet CIP applications

    Antigua Observer: The head of a well-known citizenship advisory firm is making a call for Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIPs) to vet applicants through Caricom’s Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC). Read more 

    Airbnb and Curacao sign tourism agreement

    Curacao chronicle: Today, Curaçao’s Minister of Economic Development, Eugene Rhuggenaath and the Minister of Finance, Kenneth Gijsbertha, on behalf of the government, signed an important agreement with Airbnb that will help to promote Curaçao as world-class tourist destination. Read more 

    UWI Lecturer calls for better CARICOM trade under Trump

    Trinidad Guardian: A UWI lecturer is calling on T&T and other Caricom member states to establish a united proposal to improve and further develop trade and other relations with the United States under US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Friday. Read more

    Trade and investment agreement signed between Curacao and the Dominican Republic

    Caribbean news now: An agreement was signed last Tuesday in the office of the consul of the Dominican Republic in Curacao; between ADECK; the Association of Small and Medium size business in Curacao and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic.Read more

    Full, frank discussion needed on CSME says Barbados PM Stuart 

    Caricom Today: Prime Minister Freundel Stuart believes the time has come to have “full and frank discussions” on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Read more 

    UN adviser for new consortium to bolster Haiti’s long term recovery 

    Caricom Today: A senior United Nations adviser has called for a new “consortium” of donors to bolster Haiti’s long-term recovery. Read more

    Jamaica confident about reviving pork exports to CARICOM 

    Jamaica Gleaner: Jamaica’s meat companies are weighing a resumption of pork exports to Caribbean neighbours, but say it all depends on the reception from government agencies throughout the region and the harmonisation of standards. Read more 

    INTERNATIONAL

    Fiji Signs newest version of the MSG Free Trade Agreement

    Fiji Sun: FIji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has signed the Melanesian Spearhead Group Free Trade Agreement. Read more 

    Donald Trump is sworn in as president

    New York Times: Donald John Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, ushering in a new era that he vowed would shatter the established order and reverse a national decline that he called “this American carnage.” Read more

    Ross prefers inking bilateral trade agreements

    The Hill: Commerce Secretary-designate Wilbur Ross echoed Donald Trump’s call for bilateral trade deals instead of larger agreements where he says the United States tends to lose out. Read more 

    WTO chief Warns against stumbling into trade wars

    Irish Times: The world should be wary of stumbling into trade wars that would destroy jobs, World Trade Organisation director general Roberto Azevedo said on Friday. Read more

    Chinese President Xi Jinping: No one can win a trade war

    CNN Money: “Many of the problems troubling the world are not caused by economic globalization,” Xi said Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean you cannot escape from.” Read more

    New Zealand and Sri Lanka to consider Free Trade Agreement

    Reuters: New Zealand and Sri Lanka will open diplomatic posts in each other’s nations and are considering a free trade agreement, the Pacific country’s trade minister said on Friday. Read more 

    Indian Cabinet approves Trade Agreement negotiations with Peru

    Economic Times (India): The Indian Cabinet has approved holding negotiations for a trade agreement with Peru. Read more 

    EU and US publish TTIP state of play assessment

    EU: On 18 January Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman published a joint assessment of the progress made in negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) since negotiations started in July 2013. Read more 

    US Chamber of Commerce warns Trump on Trade

    CNBC: Washington needs to trade with foreign markets if it wants to boost domestic growth, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned on Monday. Read more 

    PM May Defines “Brexit means Brexit”

    FRANHENDY: Today, in an address which lasted just over forty minutes, former ‘Remainer’, Prime Minister Theresa May,added some content and context to her well-worn maxim: brexit means brexit. Read more 

    China’s Xi warns of Dangers of Trade War

    VOA: Chinese President Xi Jinping warned governments of the dangers of a trade war while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday. Read more 

    Ottawa Weeks away from starting free-trade talks with China

    The Globe & Mail: The Trudeau government is weeks away from an inaugural round of talks on a free-trade agreement with China as it presses ahead a central objective in its plan to deepen ties with the world’s second-largest economy. Read more 

    Azevedo welcomes call in Davos for progress at the WTO; urges caution on protectionism

    WTO News: Attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed the strong desire shown by ministers and the private sector for new negotiated outcomes to be delivered at the WTO’s Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in December this year. Read more 

    Nigeria ratifies the Trade Facilitation Agreement 

    WTO News: Nigeria has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 107th WTO member to do so. Only three more ratifications from members are needed to bring the TFA into force. Read more 

    United States files WTO complaint against Canada over measures affecting the sale of wine in stores 

    WTO News: On 18 January the United States notified the WTO Secretariat that it requested WTO dispute consultations with Canada regarding measures maintained by the Canadian province of British Columbia governing the sale of wine.Read more 

    Free trade talks already under way with range of non-EU countries 

    Sky News: Article 50 has yet to be signed but already Theresa May has laid out her negotiating lines and has said that informal talks are already taking place about Britain’s future trade relations with the rest of the world. Read more 

    France’s Hollande criticises protectionism as “worst response”

    Reuters: France’s President Francois Hollande on Saturday criticized protectionism and with his Chilean counterpart said that Europe would look to strengthen ties with Latin America, speaking a day after U.S. President Donald Trump took office. Read more

    RCEP more relevant now more than ever

    New Strait Times:When American President-elect Donald Trump called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement a “disaster” and vowed to pull out of it as soon as he took office, the international media almost instantaneously pronounced the TPP dead. Read more 

    Malaysia’s move if TPPA falls through

    The Star: Should the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agree­ment (TPPA) fall through, Malaysia may look into the possibility of pursuing bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with TPP members, said International Trade and Indus­try Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. Read more 

    Djibouti-Ethiopia railway carries hope for Pan-African trade

    Financial Times: Great article by FT discussing the prospects that the Djibouti Ethiopia railway will have for Pan-African trade. Read more 

    Britain must relax immigration rules for Australians if it wants a free trade deal, says High Commissioner to UK

    Independent: Australia will seek ‘greater access’ for its businesspeople before reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK, says Alexander Downer. Read more

    Free trade agreement with India a “high priority” for Canada

    The Star: Federal Liberal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi, fresh off a trade promotion trip to India, says a free-trade agreement with India “is high priority for our government.” Read more 

    Wallonia parliament holds third hearing on EU-Vietnam free trade agreement

    Vietnam Net: The parliament of Belgium’s Wallonia region held the third hearing on the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on January 19.  Read more 

     

     

    BONUS

    Time to solve intra-Africa trade challenges

    The New Times (Rwanda): In a CNBC televised debate in Davos, Switzerland, President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has challenged African countries to solve intra-Africa trade challenges. Read the article here and WATCH VIDEO

    NEW ON CARIBBEAN TRADE LAW & DEVELOPMENT

    5 Main Points from PM May’s Davos Speech

    TTIP: Joint US-EU State of Play Report Published

    UK Supreme Court to deliver ruling in Article 50 Brexit Appeal next Tuesday

    Why PM May’s “Hard Brexit” Choice is no surprise

    President Obama Ends Three Special Parole Programs for Cuban Migrants

    Liked this issue? Read past issues of our weekly Caribbean Trade & Development Digest, please visit here.To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

  • Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 1st-7th, 2017

    Caribbean Trade and Development Digest – January 1st-7th, 2017

    Photo source: Pixabay

    Welcome to the first Caribbean Trade and Development Digest for 2017!  I am pleased to share some of the major trade and development headlines and analysis across the Caribbean region and the World for the weeks of January  1-7, 2017. 

    For past issues of our weekly Caribbean Trade & Development Digest, please visit here.

    To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

    REGIONAL

    Barbados sets new tourism record 

    Caribbean News Now: A new tourism record was set for 2016 when 610,000 long-stay visitors visited Barbados. Read more

    Changes to Citizenship by Investment programme (St. Lucia)

    St Lucia Times: On December 22nd, 2016, the minister to whom citizenship by investment is assigned signed a statutory instrument making amendments to the Citizenship by Investment Regulations No. 89 of 2015. Read more 

    PM advocates OECS approach to CIP 

    St. Lucia Times: Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, has voiced support for an OECS approach to the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), being offered by some member states of the group. Read more

    IDB approved billions for Latin American and Caribbean projects in 2016 

    Nation News: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it had provided US$11.7 billion for various projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016.Read more

    First Cuban exports to US in more than half a century to mark new era of trade 

    Caribbean News Now: Reneo Consulting LLC announced on Thursday that its subsidiary company Coabana Trading LLC has finalized an agreement with Cuba Export to import into the United States marabu (sickle bush) charcoal produced in Cuba.  Read more 

    The View from Europe: The US should respect the WTO ruling on Antigua

    David Jessop: Late last November, the government of Antigua gave notice to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Disputes Settlement Body (DSB) that, if the United States did not reach “an appropriate and beneficial settlement” in relation to a legal adjudication made previously in its favour, it would act to recover the revenue it has lost. Read more 

    Dominican mining exports top US $6.5B in 6 years 

    Dominican Today: The Dominican mining market exported US$6.5 billion as a result of extractions between 2010 and 2016, foreign sales heading led by the international transaction in gold worth US$4.9 billion in the five years, according to a document by the Energy and Mines Ministry (MEM). Read more

    Dominican Republic: Two decades of legal change in favor of foreign investment

    The National Law Review: For approximately 16 years now, the Dominican Republic has been implementing a continued legal reform to adjust its legal framework to international standards, specifically aiming to attract foreign investors. Read more 

    Progress being made (with CRFM)

    The Advocate: Still a long way to go but making progress. This is how Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Milton Haughton, described the work being made toward introducing region-wide laws, rules and regulations intended to make Caribbean fish and seafood not only ready for world trade but safe for Caribbean tables. Read more
    Regional group welcomes conclusion of regulatory project for CARIFORUM countries
    Jamaica Observer: The Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) says it has successfully completed a project aimed at helping Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries to improve the safety of fish and fishery products for consumers in national and export markets, and several activities. Read more 

    REGIONAL

    NZ highlights Free Trade Agreement gains with Korea

    TVNZ: Trade Minister Todd McClay is highlighting gains made in a free-trade agreement with Korea as he looks to make progress in getting one with the European Union. Read more 

    UK’s Brexit approach is not muddled at all, says Theresa May

    The Guardian: PM defends her government’s approach against charge by Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK ambassador to the EU who quit last week. Read more 

    UK ambassador to the EU Sir Ivan Rogers resigns 

    BBC: The UK’s ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers, has resigned. Sir Ivan, appointed to the job by David Cameron in 2013, had been expected to play a key role in Brexit talks expected to start within months. Read more 

    Container ship fleet growth expected to accelerate in 2017

    JOC: The global container ship fleet will grow around 3.1 percent in 2017, a level of growth faster than 2016, and one that may or may not increase the gap between container shipping demand and supply, according to shipowner association Bimco. Read more 

    5 International Arbitration Cases to watch in 2017

    Law360: International arbitration attorneys will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings involving former Yukos shareholders as they seek to revive their historic awards totaling $50 billion against Russia, a trio of interrelated cases involving Belize in the U.S. Supreme Court, and other disputes that could affect the arbitration and enforcement landscape for years to come. Read more 

    Ghana ratifies the Trade Facilitation Agreement

    Pacific Scoop: Ghana has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 104th WTO member to do so. Only six more ratifications from members are needed to bring the TFA into force. Read more 

    Minister: Malaysia ready to face possibility of TPPA cancellation

    Malay Mail Online: Malaysia is ready to face any eventuality arising from the possibility of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) being scrapped. Read more 

    US imports rose in 2016 despite adversity

    JOC: The US container trade in 2016 expanded an estimated 3.6 percent to a record of approximately 20.4 million 20-foot-equivalent units on the back of subdued import prices and further gains in home sales.Read more

    The WTO option for Brexit is far from straightforward

    The Economist: The two sides of the Brexit debate do not agree on much, but they agree on this: if Britain fails to reach a trade deal with the EU it will have to revert to the “WTO option”. Read more 

    Good Prospects for RCEP to wrap up negotiations this year 

    The Star: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), involving 16 countries including Malaysia, has good prospects to wrap up negotiations in 2017, said HSBC Bank plc. Read more

    Free Trade Agreement: Pakistan, Malaysia in talks to cut duties

    The Express Tribune: Pakistan and Malaysia are negotiating to further reduce duties on existing and additional tariff lines under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to facilitate businesses of both countries.Read more

    Trump taps Lighthizer for Trade Representative

    The Hill: President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Robert Lighthizer for U.S. trade representative, his transition team announced early Tuesday. Read more 

    US-NAFTA trade falls in October, reports BTS

    Logistics Management: US trade with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico fell 3.6 percent to $93.2 billion on an annual basis in October, according to data issued by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Read more 

    NEW ARTICLES ON CTLD BLOG

    New articles on the CTLD blog are:

    Trump Trade Team Poised to Reset US Trade Policy

    Seven Major Trade Developments of 2016: Trade Year in Review & Look Ahead

    Fathering a Nation: Barbados and the Legacy of Errol Walton Barrow 

     

    For past issues of our Caribbean & Trade Development Digest, please visit here. To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please follow our blog.

  • Caribbean Weekly Trade & Development Digest – March 6-12, 2016

    These are some of the major trade and development headlines and analysis across the Caribbean region and the world for the week of March 6-12, 2016:

    Regional

    CARIFORUM Ministers to meet in Guyana

    Antigua Observer: Issues relating to the 10th and 11th European Development Fund (EDF) will be among matters discussed here when the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) meets here next week. Read more

    Cuba upward tourism trend not slowing

    Caribbean News Now: Despite forecasts of the possibility of Cuban tourism failing to keep the upward trend shown in the last years, the Caribbean island’s leisure industry posted 14.6 percent growth in the first 71 days of 2016. Read more

    CARICOM seeking support from Portugal on tax issues

    Jamaica Observer: The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is calling on Portugal to help remove a number of Caribbean countries from a list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions developed by the European Union. Read more

    Customs officers get training under CARIFORUM-EU Pact

    Stabroek: Several local customs officers, as well as stakeholders in the public and private sector benefitted from a customs and trade facilitation capacity workshop, at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), GINA said. Read more

    What TPP means for Latin America and the Caribbean

    Brookings Institute: An agreement of this size and scope will have important implications for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and for the global trade architecture as a whole. Read more

    Guyana – All Styrofoam imports banned from April

    Barbados Today: Importation of styrofoam will no longer be allowed, effective April 1, with the Ministry of Finance considering tax incentives for importers who are interested in bringing in alternatives.Read more

    St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship fund releases audited financial statements

    Caribbean360:The St Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) has released audited financial statements for 2012 and 2013. Read more

    IMF Team Concludes Consultation with Guyana

    Caribbean News Now: A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Marcos Chamon, visited Guyana during February 24–March 7 to hold discussions for the 2016 Article IV consultation. Read more

    International

    WTO Issues Panel Report regarding US duties on Korea washers

    WTO: On 11 March 2016, the WTO issued the panel report in the case brought by Korea regarding “United States — Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures on large residential washers from Korea” (WT/DS/464).Read more

    WTO farm talks chair: subsidies key to 2017 outcome

    ICTSD: Addressing farm subsidies could be “key” to a negotiating outcome next year on global trade, the chair of the WTO’s farm  talks said on Tuesday, as two prominent Indian experts hit back at a critique of the country’s negotiating stance on agriculture. Read more

    WTO members look at way forward in agriculture talks

    WTO: WTO members considered the way forward in agriculture talks at the first informal meeting of agriculture negotiations after the WTO Nairobi Ministerial Conference on 8 March. Read more

    Theme of 2016 WTO Public Forum to be “Inclusive Trade”

    WTO: The theme of the 2016 Public Forum, to be held at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva on 27-29 September, is “Inclusive Trade”. Read more

    Brexit and Britain: What would it mean for UK trade?

    Reuters: The stakes will be high for Britain’s historic role as a free-trading nation when it holds a referendum on whether to stay in the European Union on June 23. Read more

    Australia, Indonesia in free trade talks

    SkyNews: Indonesia and Australia hope free trade talks this week can help turn around ‘underdone’ business and investment ties. Read more
    Eurativ: A new legal world is emerging around the EU’s trade policy. Scrutiny over the compatibility of trade agreements with human rights is increasing under recent Ombudsman and Court of Justice moves regarding the new trade agreement with Vietnam, and a 2012 agriculture agreement with Morocco. Read more

    Recent Articles on Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog

    For past issues, please visit here.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is a trade and development consultant with a keen interest in sustainable development, international law and trade. You can also read more of her commentaries and follow her on Twitter @LicyLaw.