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Global Trade 2019

An Asia trade war threatens The trade war between the USA and China is ongoing. Abhijit Mukhopadhyay says the Japan-South Korea dispute threatens to further derail international business Trade policy after three years of populism The populist turn in many nations’ politics has sharpened the rhetoric against globalisation. Simon Evenett and Johannes Fritz find that this has translated into greater protectionism worldwide The WTO dispute settlement and the Appellate Body crisis Matteo Fiorini, Bernard Hoekman, Petros Mavroidis, Maarja Saluste and Robert Wolfe report on insider perceptions and WTO members’ revealed preferences We’re in danger of forgetting the lessons from Bretton Woods Roberto Azevêdo says the world risks forgetting the importance of a rules-based system of economic cooperation, which has underpinned decades of unprecedented peace and prosperity Implications of the Japan–United States mini-trade agreement The impact of the US-Japan mini-trade deal is likely to be minuscule. Sybrand Brekelmans and Uri Dadush review the possible effects and the systemic implications The EU-Mercosur FTA: prospects and risks The deal is worth fighting for, according to Michael Baltensperger and Uri Dadush, and the agreement could be as significant for the globe’s climate as it is for the global economy Incoterms® 2020 – updated rules for sale of goods certainty The International Chamber of Commerce reviews the latest edition of the Incoterms® rules, that ensure a rules-based solution between trading partners worldwide A delicate balancing act The quantum of information that flows across borders has given rise to concerns for national governments. Shagufta Gupta writes that a delicate balancing act is needed to ensure India’s digital sector keeps its global lead The EU’s competition and antitrust tightrope Economic sovereignty remains one of Europe’s biggest challenges. Rebecca Christie and Mathew Heim review the Bruegel meeting that addressed the EU’s global challenges locally The EU is in the US trade war crosshairs The incoming European Commission faces a dilemma. Anabel González and Nicolas Véron believe it should further raise its game to forge effective policies toward the US and China The ‘new’ economics of trade agreements Tariffs have been reduced in the post-war period. Gene Grossman, Phillip McCalman and Robert Staiger analyse the increase in non-tariff barriers and the affect on global trade Truths about trade Cecilia Malmström says the best that we can do is hold on to our values – what we believe to be good and right – but always be ready to challenge received ideas through rigorous research and understanding How Britain will react to a WTO-based Brexit A 'No Deal Brexit' is the most likely outcome. Patrick Minford explains how it is a recipe for UK economic success, free of the shackles of EU protectionism, budget costs, intrusive regulation and subsidisation of unskilled immigration Global trade protection and the role of NTBs Luisa Kinzius, Alexander Sandkamp and Erdal Yalcin demonstrate that trade protection in the form of non-tariff barriers started many years ago Border carbon tariffs: giving up on trade to save the climate? Ursula von der Leyen plans to introduce a border carbon tax to avoid forcing EU companies to move their activities abroad. Henrik Horn and André Sapir ask if trade and climate preservation can coexist? Perspectives on the soft power of EU trade policy The EU has to reposition its trade policies. San Bilal and Bernard Hoekman ask whether the EU has been effective in its pursuit of non-trade policy objectives India at a crossroads The global economy is entering a turbulent phase. Abhijit Mukhopadhyay considers where India sits in an era of bilateral and plurilateral trade agreements India in 2024: Narendra Modi once more, but to what end? India boasts Asia’s fastest growing economy in 2018. Alicia García-Herrero and Trinh Nguyen write that beneath the veneer of impressive GDP expansion, uneasiness about India’s economic model clearly tempers enthusiasm Implications of the escalating China-US trade dispute Uri Dadush considers the impacts on the Chinese and US economies, as well as the strategic problems this dispute poses for Europe Does attaching green issues to trade agreements boost trade liberalisation? Boram Lee analyses MEPs environmental positions and finds that FTAs may have difficulty in being ratified Europe in the midst of China-US strategic competition The trade conflict between the US and China is bringing China-US strategic competition into the open. Alicia García-Herrero says the EU faces an urgent question: how to position itself in the competition? The global macroeconomics of a trade war Increasing protectionism will slow down world trade and may dampen global economic growth. Wilko Bolt, Kostas Mavromatis and Sweder Van Wijnbergen consider the findings from the EAGLE model Multilateralisation with Chinese characteristics Although the BRI is only five years old, China has expanded aggressively. Alicia García-Herrero and Jianwei Xu consider the next step of the Belt and Road Initiative Next-generation technologies and the future of trade Susan Lund and Jacques Bughin consider some of the possible effects and estimate the magnitude of potential changes of the future technological transformation Xi and Trump miss a chance to expand markets The conclusion of the China-US trade negotiations has been postponed. Jeffrey Frankel argues that the US-Japan agreement three decades ago serves as a template Dancing with the dragon: can the EU and China rescue the WTO? Comprehensive WTO reform has never been more urgent. Bart Broer argues that the Sino-European relationship could safeguard the world's trading regime The European Union’s response to the trade crisis The global trading system is being challenged. Uri Dadush and Guntram Wolff consider the possible outcomes and how the EU can respond Brexit delay will not postpone deglobalisation Peter van Bergeijk argues that Brexit and the Trumpian trade wars are symptoms rather than causes, as the world had already started to fundamentally change before either came on the horizon Russia’s foreign policy does not help its economic modernization Russia’s over-ambitious foreign ventures have exacerbated the negative effects of the numerous economic headwinds it faces, Marek Dabrowski writes No deal is the best deal for Britain Patrick Minford considers the options for the UK as they reach the endgame in their negotiations with the EU, and finds that a No Deal Brexit is a recipe for economic success A commitment to shared prosperity If the European Union draws on its roots and finds a way forward through shared prosperity, Christine Lagarde believes the next chapter of unity in Europe will begin The macroeconomic implications of a global trade war Escalating tensions between the US and its trading partners have made a global trade war more likely. Antoine Berthou et al consider the potential effects Assessing global financial stability Tobias Adrian describes what the IMF sees as some of the major factors that could put growth at risk Trade and growth in the age of global value chains The rise of protectionism has revived the debate about the benefits of trade. Carlo Altomonte, Laura Bonacorsi and Italo Colantone highlight the important role played by GVCs in allowing countries to gain by trade President Trump's State of the Union Address 2019 The US is experiencing an economic boom. Donald Trump says it is now time for bipartisan action to reignite the American imagination, to choose greatness Retooling Europe’s economy European firms are investing too little compared to global competitors. Debora Revoltella calls for a 'retooling' of the European economy How Europe could yet take the lead in the global EV development race The electrification of vehicles has become a key trend in the automotive sector. Simone Tagliapietra and Reinhilde Veugelers consider how Europe might best attempt to catch and overtake other countries in the development race

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