Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Tag: CARICOM

  • Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 1-7, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development Digest – September 1-7, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of September 1-7, 2019! We do apologise again for the delay in last week’s digest and are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past two weeks.

    I will be a panelist at the upcoming 3rd annual BITT “Central Bank meets Blockchain” Conference. Learn more here!

    Statement on Hurricane Dorian

    To our readers in The Bahamas, the CTLD Blog would like to extend our extreme sadness about suffering and devastration wrought by Hurricane Dorian on the northern Bahamas, particularly the Abaco Islands and the island of Grand Bahama.

    We stand in support of our Bahamian brothers and sisters, and urge our readers to please support a reputable charity of your choice currently providing relief supplies and/or monetary donation to assist the many persons who are displaced, and to aid in the massive rebuilding effort ahead.

    We have every confidence that like the mystical phoenix, The Bahamas will rise again.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    China has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States concerning additional duties imposed by the United States on imports of Chinese goods that took effect on 1 September.

    The Brexit chaos continues. The UK parliament has passed a bill seeking to prevent the UK Government from leaving the EU on October 31, 2019 without a deal. However, Prime Minister Johnson has indicated his intention to still seek a suspension of Parliament for 5 weeks. There is also speculation that he intends to ignore the No deal bill.

    The Caribbean has rallied around The Bahamas. A CARICOM delegation has gone to The Bahamas, please see here. Cuba has also sent doctors and teachers to The Bahamas in the aftermath.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    T&T Braces for Brexit

    Jamaica Observer: Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says the Dr Keith Rowley-led Administration is looking at bringing legislation to Parliament to enact a treaty signed between Cariforum and the United Kingdom to prevent any sudden imposition of tariffs if the UK leaves the European Union (EU). Read more

    Caribbean countries ramp up oil production

    Amsterdam News: Some Caribbean Community countries are rushing to ramp up oil and gas exploration, motivated by the runaway success Guyana has had since first discovering commercial quantities back in mid 2015. Read more

    IMF says Barbados making good progress on economic reform programme

    Barbados Today: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Barbados continues to make good progress in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive economic reform programme. Read more

    ‘Horror stories’ of migrant workers

    Royal Gazette: Migrant workers have shared “horror stories” claiming abuse, xenophobia, unfair discrepancies in working contracts and having their travel documents seized, according to a union leader. Read more

    Minister signs World Intellectual Property Organisation instruments

    LoopTT: Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dennis Moses signed Instruments of Accession to a Convention and three Treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization on behalf of the country. Read more

    Cuba and South Africa strengthen bilateral relations

    Radio Havana: The 15th meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism South Africa-Cuba met Thursday with delegations led by Vice Ministers Alvin Botes and Marcelino Medina, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Read more

    Deputy PM Outlines Impact Events Like CARIFESTA Have on Federation’s Artists

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Culture, the Honourable Shawn Richards, said while appearing on the “Working for You” programme Wednesday, events such as the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) have a great impact on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ artists. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Brexit: MPs willing to go to court to enforce delay

    BBC: MPs, including Tories expelled from the party, are preparing legal action in case the PM refuses to seek a delay to Brexit. Read more

    RCEP Ministerial: Trade experts, economists warn that pact would hit vulnerable sectors

    Hindu Business Line: As Trade Ministers from sixteen member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) prepare to meet in Bangkok on Sunday to give a final shape to the ambitious trade and investment pact, a number of economists, trade experts and industry and farm bodies have underlined the need for India to opt out as they fear that it would hit sensitive industrial and farm sectors. Read more

    Prayut urges Asean to back micro-sized businesses

    Bangkok Post: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged Asean countries to support “micro-SMEs” by keeping their owners abreast of digital technological know-how and to ensure they have access to financial resources. Read more

    U.S. Democrats concerned about enforcement of new NAFTA, Pelosi tells Trudeau

    Financial Post: U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday that Democrats are especially concerned about enforcement of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement and Mexico’s implementation of labour standards, a spokesman for Pelosi said. Read more

    US-China trade war: Supply chains affected in Thailand

    Al jazeera: For countries like Thailand, its largest export market is China. The economy here relies heavily on its big neighbour to the north. So businesses could be forced to recalibrate their supply chains. Read more

    The US-China trade war is helping drive the massive fires burning the Amazon rainforest

    Business Insider: The Amazon rainforest is burning, and it’s sparking outrage around the world. One reason for this growing ecological tragedy may be the escalating US-China trade war. Read more

    Exclusive: New Study Says U.S. Can’t Win the Trade War and Neither Can China

    TIME: The escalating U.S.-China trade war is unwinnable by either side, according to new research shown exclusively to TIME. Read more

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  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 18-31, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – August 18-31, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of August 18-31, 2019! We do apologise again for the delay in last week’s digest and are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past two weeks.

    We also extend our best wishes and prayers to our brothers and sisters in the northern Caribbean and the US facing Hurricane Dorian.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    WTO reform was one of the topics for discussion at the recently held G-7 Leaders Meeting in Biarritz, France. See G-7 speech by WTO DG on why WTO reform is an opportunity to tackle inequalities.

    On the Brexit front, things took another turn for the bizarre as Prime Minister Boris Johnson requested the prorogation of Parliament until October 14, 2019.

    The Amazon rainforest has been experiencing wildfires drawing the attention of the international community. It may also have implications for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    St Kitts-Nevis records 13-year-low in exports to US in June 2019

    WICNews: The value of goods and services exported from St Kitts and Nevis to the United States hit a 13 -year low for the month of June this year, 2019. Read more

    Caribbean is a leading importer of US goods – US diplomat

    Jamaica Observer: The Caribbean which is described as the “third border” of the United States, is a leading trade partner in terms of United States exports to the region and as the largest importer of Caribbean goods, a United States diplomat has said. Read more

    Local fishermen encouraged to meet counterparts in Tobago

    Barbados Today: A team of Barbadian fishermen could soon be headed to Tobago for discussions on fishing, with the expectation this could lead to the end of a years-old fishing dispute. Read more

    Jamaica government labs upgraded to analyse salt, fat in foods

    Jamaica Observer: For the first time, Jamaica will have the capacity to analyse the sugar, salt and fat content of food products. Read more

    Cuba Seeks to Expand Ties with China

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: The director general of Bilateral Affairs of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emilio Lozada, began this Monday a working visit to China, the Cuban Foreign Ministry reported in Havana. Read more

    Secretary General of ACP urges Caribbean to negotiate new agreement with Britain post Brexit

    Antigua Observer: According to CANA, the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, Dr. Patrick I Gomes, says it will be in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries favour to quickly negotiate new trade agreements with the United Kingdom as it moves to leave the European Union. Read more

    Barbados UN Ambassador’s Keynote Address at CTO Conference

    St Kitts & Nevis Observer: It is wonderful to be in the Caribbean, in the beautiful country of St Vincent and the Grenadines, amongst brothers and sisters who are responsible for the leadership and management of our region’s premier foreign exchange earner. Read more

    Rice exports dip but earnings up during first half of 2019 –GRDB

    Stabroek: Despite a dip in rice exports within the first six months of the year as compared to 2018, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) says more revenue has been earned during the same period by way of the sale of higher-value products. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    Finance ministry reviewing India’s free trade agreements

    Economic Times: The Finance ministry has initiated a review of India’s free trade agreement framework to assess the impact of such pacts on the overall economy. The view has been gaining ground among policymakers and industry that these free trade agreements (FTAs) brought little tangible benefit to India, while helping the partner country. Read more

    UK and South Korea sign ‘continuity trade agreement’

    BBC: The UK has signed a “continuity” trade agreement with South Korea, allowing businesses to keep trading freely after Brexit. Read more

    Over 100 stakeholder consultations on proposed RCEP in last 6 years: Commerce Ministry

    Hindu Business Line: The Commerce Ministry, on Saturday, said over 100 stakeholder consultations have been held on the mega free trade agreement RCEP in the last 6 years. Read more

    AfCFTA is game-changer for Africa’s socio-economic development – ECA

    Ghanaweb: Dr Joseph Atta-Mensah, Principal Policy Advisor, Macroeconomics and Governance Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) agreement as the game-changer for Africa’s socio-economic development. Read more

    As Ghana prepares to host the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat it organises a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA for a Ghana beyond Aid

    Africa News: The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and, in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission (AUC), are organising a High-Level Conference on AfCFTA from 19-21 August 2019, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana focsuing on Harnessing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for a Ghana beyond Aid. Read more

    Emmanuel Macron says he will block EU trade deal with Brazil over Amazon forest fires

    Independent: France will block an EU trade deal with Brazil and its neighbours over the country’s handling of fires in the Amazon rainforest, a spokesperson for Emmanuel Macron has said. Read more

    Leaders Seek WTO Reform to Spur Open, Fair Trade: G-7 Update

    Bloomberg: Group of Seven leaders hold their final day of talks in Biarritz, France, with U.S. President Donald Trump holding out the prospect of a meeting with Iran’s leader and signaling fresh trade talks with China. Read the developments in real time. Read more

    Remarks by President Donald Tusk before the G7 summit in Biarritz, France

    EU: First of all, let me express my best wishes to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. I always attended G7 summits with Jean-Claude, and I must say I will miss him in Biarritz. Read more

    WTO reforms should be wholistic and comprehensive

    Moneycontrol: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on August 22 made a case for wholistic and comprehensive reforms of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) without ignoring the ground realities, especially the stark inequality among developed and developing nations. Read more

    The crucial role of a WTO appeals court

    The Hill: Imagine there were no Supreme Court, and questions about fundamental issues such as free speech, religious freedom and equal protection were left up to various lower courts to decide. Read more

    What’s at Stake and at Risk in U.S.-Japan Trade Talks

    Bloomberg: More than two years after U.S. President Donald Trump walked away from a regional Asia-Pacific trade agreement, the U.S. and Japan — the world’s largest and third-largest economies — are negotiating a deal of their own. Both sides say they are very close to a deal. Read more

    RCEP: India wants auto-trigger mechanism to curb import surges

    Hindu Business Line: To protect domestic industry against surge in imports once tariffs are brought down under the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, India has suggested an auto trigger method that would automatically increase import levies once shipments cross a given threshold limit. Read more

    Petition handed in opposing Switzerland-Mercosur trade deal

    Swissinfo: A 65,000-strong petition has been handed into federal authorities in Bern demanding the cancellation, or significant revision, of a trade deal between EFTA – of which Switzerland is part – and the Mercosur trade bloc. Read more

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    The Caribbean Trade & Development Digest is a weekly trade news digest produced and published by the Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog. Liked this issue? To read past issues, please visit here. To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please subscribe to our Blog below:

  • CARICOM and the African Union to deepen ties: Why this is a good idea!

    CARICOM and the African Union to deepen ties: Why this is a good idea!

    Alicia Nicholls

    Caribbean-African relations have become an exciting and refreshing trade space to watch in recent months. Over the past few weeks, two African leaders (Their Excellencies President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya) paid separate official visits to the Caribbean. Barbados’ Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley also paid a state visit to Morocco in June 2019.

    It was also announced earlier this month that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would over the next year seek to deepen and formalise cooperation with its African equivalent – the African Union (AU). This article takes a brief look at why formalization of south-south cooperation and engagement between CARICOM and the African Union is a good idea.

    CARICOM and AU have more similarities than differences

    The formal relationship between the two regions has been mainly through their participation in the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) and the Commonwealth of Nations groupings, and not directly bilateral. But change is on the horizon. In 2012, Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the Caribbean and South America concluded the Global African Summit with a declaration which outlined a plan of action for forging political, economic and social cooperation between the AU and ‘all inter-governmental entities in regions in which African Diaspora populations are part of’, which includes CARICOM.

    As I wrote in a previous article a couple of weeks ago, there is much promise for expanding and deepening economic and political relations between Africa and the Caribbean. A boost would be, of course, formal collaboration between CARICOM and the AU.

    CARICOM is an intergovernmental organization of fifteen mostly English-speaking Caribbean States and territories founded on July 4, 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas (revised in 2001). It was preceded by the Caribbean Free Trade Agreement (CARIFTA) which lasted from 1968-1973 and the West Indian Federation (1958-1962). CARICOM has a collective population of approximately 18 million. Its secretariat is based in Georgetown, Guyana. Twelve CARICOM Members are currently full members of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

    The AU is a 55-nation pan-continental, intergovernmental organization which was officially launched in July 2002. The AU has a population of just over 1 billion. Its secretariat is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AU has launched Agenda 2063, an ambitious plan to transform the continent into a global powerhouse. There are currently eight regional economic communities considered ‘building blocks’ of the AU, and diaspora relations are also integral to the AU.

    Both CARICOM and the AU are intergovernmental organisations which encompass post-colonial States with cultural and linguistic differences, facing a myriad of challenges and varying levels of development. Both are in the process of wide-scale regional integration projects. CARICOM, for instance, is in the process of trying to consolidate its CSME. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which was signed in March 2018 and currently has 54 signatories, seeks to create a seamless pan-African economic space. The AfCFTA came into effect in May 2019 and the process has started for the Agreement’s operationalization.

    There are, of course, differences between the two regions which may impact on the policy and negotiating positions taken in multilateral fora. For example, most CARICOM countries are services-based (mainly tourism and/or financial services) economies, with the exception of Belize, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago where commodities trade is important. In the mostly resource-rich African countries, however, commodities trade is king. Most Caribbean countries are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), while those in the AU include mainly landlocked and coastal continental States. The only six AU SIDS are Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome e Principe and Seychelles. Moreover, 33 of the 55-member AU are classified by the United Nations (UN) as Least Developed Countries (LDCs), while Haiti is the only LDC in CARICOM.

    Despite these differences, which should not be overlooked, I believe the prospects for CARICOM/AU collaboration and engagement are very promising. Both regions can learn from each other as they seek to deepen their integration projects. There is also scope for closer Caribbean/Africa multilateral collaboration on issues of mutual interest, such as confronting the growing threat of unilateralism and protectionism; the achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets; de-risking by global banks; climate change; reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); securing reparations, to name a few. Intra-regional cooperation prospects are also promising in many areas such as agriculture, education, the creative industries, renewable energy, medicine/health, the blue and green economies, sports, information and communications technology (ICTs), for example.

    Moreover, Barbados’ upcoming co-hosting of the UNCTAD 15 Quadrennial in October 2020 provides further prospects for collaboration on important multilateral trade and development issues. It is interesting to note that UNCTAD 14 was held in Nairobi, Kenya so there is the opportunity for Kenya to share with Barbados its experience in the successful hosting of the UNCTAD 14.

    Plans for Deepening CARICOM/AU ties  

    A press release issued by the CARICOM Secretariat noted that CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Kwesi Quartey, discussed the need for continued ACP solidarity in the on-going negotiations for the Post-Cotonou Agreement with the European Union (EU) and agreed to explore collaboration on multilateral areas of concern, such as climate change.

    The CARICOM press release further noted that the two leaders “took the opportunity to consider some of the areas in which their two organisations could work together including the formalisation of an institutional relationship between CARICOM and the AU to promote cooperation and to strengthen the deep bond of friendship between Africa and the Caribbean.”

    Moreover, St. Lucia Times has quoted St. Lucian Prime Minister, the Hon. Allen Chastanet, as stating that there will be a planned CARICOM and the AU Summit and the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for engagement and cooperation. Prime Minister Chastanet is further quoted by this news agency as stating that “Barbados and Suriname will partner in establishing an Embassy in Ghana, while Barbados and Saint Lucia will partner in establishing an Embassy in Kenya.”

    During President Kenyatta’s visit, Barbados and Kenya have also committed to negotiating a Double Taxation Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty with each other, and discussed collaboration in areas such as ICTs, renewable energy, sports, the blue economy, health, education and air services. Kenya has also sought the Caribbean’s support in its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.

    While this high-level political commitment to greater Caribbean-African engagement is needed and commendable, it is firm to firm, university to university and people to people collaboration which will transform deeper Caribbean-African relations from an aspiration to reality. An important step, therefore, will also be formalizing relations between private sector organisations, business support organizations, investment promotion agencies, universities and tourism boards in the Caribbean and Africa in order to promote Caribbean-Africa trade and investment in both traditional and emerging sectors, research and tourism. On this note, it was welcomed news that there will be commencement of engagement between the private sectors of Barbados and Kenya, as well as deeper university collaboration.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B., is an international 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.

    DISCLAIMER: All views expressed herein are her personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of any institution or entity with which she may be affiliated from time to time.

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – July 28-August 10, 2019

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – July 28-August 10, 2019

    Welcome to the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the weeks of July 28-August 10, 2019! We are happy to bring you the major trade and development headlines and analysis from across the Caribbean Region and the world from the past week.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    The World Trade Organization released its World Trade Statistical Review 2019 which provides a detailed analysis of global trade developments for the review period. Access the report here.

    The Caribbean Court of Justice upheld the classification decision of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)’s on cement imported and distributed by the Barbados-based Rock Hard Cement Ltd.

    REGIONAL NEWS

    CARICOM and the African Union discuss working together, formalising relationship

    CARICOM: Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Kwesi Quartey discussed the need for continued ACP solidarity in the negotiations for the Post-Coutonou Agreement with the European Union (EU). Read more

    Caribbean Court upholds trade ministerial decision on cement classification

    Demerara Waves: The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Tuesday delivered a judgement which upholds the classification decision of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on cement, known as Rock Hard Cement, imported and/or distributed within CARICOM by Rock Hard Cement (Rock Hard Distributors Limited) and, Mootilal Ramhit and Sons Contracting Limited. Read more

    Exports of essential oils from the Caribbean to Europe increasing

    South Florida Caribbean News: It is becoming increasingly common to find natural cosmetic products in large retail stores, perfume stores and supermarkets. Read more

    Government of Jamaica allocate $15 million to farmers affected by the ongoing drought

    Caribbean News Now: The ministry of industry, commerce, agriculture, and fisheries, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), is spending $15 million to assist farmers affected by the ongoing drought. Read more

    Addressing Genetically Modified Foods: A Rising Food Security Concern for the Region

    SRC: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are one of the most controversial areas of science. While their use in certain fields like medicine is accepted, when it comes to their use in food and agriculture, ethical and moral questions loom. Read more

    Barbados ‘vulnerable’ to food fraud

    Nation News: Despite having “pretty strong” food safety and security measures, Barbados is still vulnerable to food fraud, says Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) representative Ena Harvey. Read more

    Kenya to open trade links with Jamaica

    The Star: The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and Industry have expressed interest in deepening trade ties. Read more

    How did the Bahamas revitalise its sponge industry?

    IDB: A small community of about 900 people in Little harbour, in Mangrove Cay in The Bahamas, used to be home to a key driver of local economic growth–sponging. Little Harbour, which runs along a 1.5 million national marine park that is one of the Caribbean’s largest protected areas, is adjacent to the world’s third-largest barrier reef. Read more

    Uhuru seeks Caribbean support in Kenya’s bid for UN Security Council seat

    Capital FM: President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Caribbean community to support Kenya’s bid for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat for the period 2021 to 2022. Read more

    Uhuru invites Barbadian business community to invest in Kenya

    Capital FM: President Uhuru Kenyatta has invited Barbadian investors to set shop in Kenya saying his administration has created an enabling environment for both foreign and local businesses to thrive. Read more

    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    US-Africa trade talks end in Abidjan, highlight AfCFTA

    North Africa Post: Talks between African and US officials to review the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) free-trade deal ended Thursday in Côte d’Ivoire with no major deal. Read more

    Japan expands trade and investments in Africa

    Fresh Plaza: In connection with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Japanese cumulative FDI in Africa increased from $3.9bn in 2007 to $10bn in 2016. Read more

    How new Trade Information Portal plans to plug Africa’s data and finance gap

    GTR: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is building an online repository of information products for importers and exporters looking to access African markets or expand existing operations across the continent. Read more

    Two third of market access negotiations in RCEP over; 16-nation FTA talks to resume in September

    Business Today: The intersessional ministerial meeting among 16 countries to negotiate a mega free trade agreement – Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – concluded last week with a call to maintain the momentum in the run up to the closure of negotiations by the end of the year. Read more

    RCEP negotiations: India lists out demands before China for market access

    Business Line: Playing hardball with China in the on-going negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, India has read it out a big list of demands for market access in both goods and services, including larger exports of drugs, sugar, rice, dairy, soybean, IT and other services. Read more

    RCEP talks: New Zealand ready to ease work-visa rules for India

    Business Line: New Zealand wants to have greater market access for its dairy products, apples, kiwis and wine into India as part of the ongoing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact being negotiated by 16 countries, said the country’s special envoy for Commonwealth Trade Integration Jeremy Clarke-Watson. Read more

    ACP calls for unity as negotiations continue with Europe

    Jamaica Observer: Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group Dr Patrick I Gomes says the 79-member grouping must continue to show unity and be strong if it wants a successful outcome to the negotiations for a new agreement to replace the Cotonou Agreement that expires in 2020. Read more

    ACP Secretariat recommends actions for the UK government to facilitate physical market access of ACP Service providers to the UK market

    ACP: The ACP Group of States was recently invited to give evidence before the House of Commons International Trade Select Committee to speak about the movement of natural persons in the delivery of temporary services (Mode 4 of services supply). Read more

    Container ports: the fastest, the busiest, and the best connected

    UNCTAD: Known as the “humble heroes” of globalization, containers are handled in hundreds of millions at container ports worldwide annually. Efficient and well-connected container ports enabled by frequent and regular shipping services are key to minimizing trade costs, including transport costs, linking supply chains and supporting international trade. Read more

    There’s another trade war brewing over oil and milk

    Economic Times: While the world focuses on the ongoing trade war between China and the U.S., another spat has been brewing between commodity giant Indonesia and the European Union. Read more

    Western Australia’s huge reliance on China leaves it particularly vulnerable in a trade war

    ABC (Australia): The West Australian Government has been left walking a fine line in navigating the state’s economic reliance on China in the midst of a trade war and rising security tensions between the superpower and the United States. Read more

    Qatar prevails over UAE in trade dispute at WTO

    MENAFM: The State of Qatar announced yesterday that its permanent mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has received a formal communication indicating that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had withdrawn its WTO dispute concerning certain alleged measures adopted by Qatar. Read more

    As Trump Scales Back, Asian Heavyweights Prep for World’s Biggest Trade Pact

    VoA: The world’s biggest free trade pact may be just months from final signatures after talks this month appeared to bring the trade group’s 16 members closer to agreement. Read more

    Biden: I would ‘renegotiate’ Pacific trade deal

    The Hill: Former Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday night he would “renegotiate” the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), not seek to rejoin it as it was previously written. Read more

    US Open to Further Talks as Trade War With China Escalates

    VoA: The White House is signaling it is not seeking to further escalate the trade war with Beijing, after the administration of President Donald Trump took the mostly symbolic action of declaring China a currency manipulator. Read more

    Trump has ‘huge appetite’ for free trade deal with UK – Raab

    Sky News: The foreign secretary sounds upbeat about UK-US trade after meeting President Trump at the White House. Read more

    Nicaragua Confirms Agreement With South Korea

    Q Costa Rica: Nicaragua is the first Central American country to establish a date of entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea, which is agreed for October 1, 2019. Read more

    Free trade agreement between Singapore and Britain in the works: Vivian Balakrishnan

    CNA: Singapore says it has an understanding with the United States that the city-state does not take advantage of privileges that come with “developing country” status in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Read more

    US aware Singapore doesn’t take advantage of developing-country status: Chan Chun Sing

    The Strait Times: Singapore says it has an understanding with the United States that the city-state does not take advantage of privileges that come with “developing country” status in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Read more

    WTO NEWS

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    The Caribbean Trade & Development Digest is a weekly trade news digest produced and published by the Caribbean Trade Law & Development Blog. Liked this issue? To read past issues, please visit here. To receive these mailings directly to your inbox, please subscribe to our Blog below: