Archive

trade

  • An even Greater Trade Collapse? How COVID-19 is changing global supply chains

    April 30, 2020

    With global economic output projected to decline by 3 percent in 2020 (and over 6 percent in advanced economies) according to the IMF, we are looking at a downright plummeting of global trade volume in 2020: between 13 and 32 per cent, according to the World Trade Organization. It is worth comparing this situation with the 2008-2009 financial crisis, among trade economists known as the Great Trade Collapse. Trade volume fell by 15%, around four...

  • ‘Big Phil’ Is Back – What to Expect from the Hearing of the Incoming Trade Commissioner

    September 26, 2019

    https://vimeo.com/362508662 While most of the legislative machinery in Brussels slowly ground to a halt after the European Parliament elections in May this year, trade has continued at an unabated, albeit rocky pace. Phil Hogan is a returning member of the College that served as the Agriculture Commissioner under Jean-Claude Juncker. Having previously seen off hardened negotiators from Japan and Mercosur to strike trade agreements of unprecedented magnitude, how will he hold up during his hearing...

  • How EU trade policy became EU trade politics

    April 23, 2018

    Over the past few years, trade has risen from relative technical obscurity to become one of the most politically contended policy areas worldwide. The EU is no exception to the trend and is in fact a front runner. Undoubtedly, the most visible factor which turned EU trade policy into hard politics is President Trump. However, political mobilisation predates the last US presidential election by a few years. The TTIP factor Already in 2013 and 2014...

  • Climate, Finance and Trade – Is Climate Policy the next trade battleground? If President Macron wins the argument, yes.

    March 28, 2018

    The debate on how to finance Europe’s transition to a low carbon economy has seen a significant political crescendo over the last months. The most important talks on new spending and financing options are taking place within the context of the next Multi-Financial Framework, where Member States are discussing whether and how to better align those options to help the EU achieve its policy priorities, among which climate and environment targets. Some Member States have...