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Road to Belém Briefing No. 1: Critical Minerals for the Net-Zero Transition
ROAD TO BELÉM BRIEFING No. 1 — Critical Minerals: Strategic Context and Policy Brief. COP30 places rapid renewable deployment and electrification at centre stage, sharply increasing demand for critical minerals used in batteries, wind, solar and grids. The system remains highly concentrated: for most minerals the top three producers account for over two-thirds of global output, and in several processing segments China exceeds 80-90%, creating systemic risk. The briefing frames three questions for Belém: how to diversify supply, uphold robust ESG in extraction and processing, and integrate critical minerals into a rules-based multilateral system that supports net-zero pathways. Policy levers assessed include CBAM (from 2026) and EUDR (from 2027) and their market-access implications, alongside concrete measures: embedding cooperation in trade commitments; joint strategic reserves; co-investment; transparency and digital traceability; and joint R&D on refining, recycling and substitution.
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Increasing Unevenness in Trade-Related Sustainability Policy: The ASEAN Perspective
POLICY BRIEF No. 29 – Professor Göran Roos is Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources, University of Adelaide.
ASEAN countries are facing mounting pressure to align trade policy with emerging sustainability norms. While the global shift toward greener trade is accelerating—driven by the European Union’s Green Deal, the rise of carbon pricing, and private sector ESG demands—ASEAN’s policy response has been uneven. The disparity threatens to undermine regional competitiveness and fragment ASEAN’s vision of a cohesive market. The author argues that ASEAN must accelerate harmonisation efforts, strengthen regulatory capacity, and build flexible partnerships that allow member states to converge towards higher standards without sacrificing development goals. A coordinated response is critical to secure market access, attract investment, and position ASEAN as a credible player in sustainable trade.
ISER Promotion of EU Climate Policy Event
On Wednesday 21 May, the Institute for International Trade, the School of Economics and Public Policy, and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment welcomed Professor Hans Fehr (University of Würzburg) for an in-depth examination of the EU’s evolving climate architecture, moderated by Professor Peter Draper.
The EU Corporate Sustainability Due-Diligence Directive and China-EU Trade: Environmental Implications for the Chinese Electric-Vehicle Sector
WORKING PAPER 22 - This working paper analyses how the EU Corporate Sustainability Due-Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will reshape China–EU trade, using the Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) industry as a sectoral lens. By translating voluntary ESG norms into hard-law obligations, the CSDDD extends stringent environmental standards along global value chains and aims to “level the playing field” for firms accessing the EU Single Market. The study traces the Directive’s legal evolution, compares it with China’s ESG framework, and models compliance scenarios for Chinese EV exporters. Findings indicate that while the Directive raises due-diligence and reporting costs—especially for complex battery supply chains—it also offers first-mover advantages to firms that align quickly with EU benchmarks. Competitive outcomes will depend on supply-chain transparency, technology upgrading, and the degree of regulatory convergence between Brussels and Beijing.
Countertrade in Modern Geoeconomics: A Study of Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union
WORKING PAPER 21: This working paper examines the resurgence of countertrade—an exchange of goods and services without immediate monetary payment—as a strategic economic mechanism within modern geoeconomic contexts, specifically focusing on Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Historically prominent during periods of economic isolation or liquidity constraints, countertrade is now re-emerging amid rising geopolitical tensions and financial uncertainties, serving as a tool for economic resilience and strategic autonomy. The paper investigates Indonesia’s past experiences with countertrade, primarily in defense procurement, and evaluates scenarios for potential future engagement under a proposed Indonesia-EAEU Free Trade Agreement. Using theoretical firm-level analysis, it distinguishes how different Indonesian firm categories—super-large conglomerates, large enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—could benefit from or face challenges in adopting countertrade. Findings suggest that, despite theoretical benefits like reduced currency risk and strategic resource access, practical implementation is complex and cost-intensive, making it most suitable for larger, resource-rich firms capable of navigating these complexities.
Enhancing Continental Trade Facilitation in Africa
A multi-week capacity building program brought together 25 trade professionals from 18 African economies to explore critical trade facilitation challenges and opportunities. Participants engaged in dynamic sessions with experts from the Institute for International Trade (University of Adelaide) and special guest speakers, including Australia’s Acting High Commissioner. Candid discussions covered institutional cooperation, ICT infrastructure, barriers to trade for SMEs, and the harmonization of standards. A panel session with the Australian Trade Commissioner for Africa offered insights on regulatory barriers and approaches to boosting cross-continental investment. The program continues to foster expertise, collaboration, and practical strategies for advancing trade facilitation across African economies.
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Navigating the Shifting Currents of Global Trade: SA Business Chamber's Business Talk
At the South Australian Business Chamber’s “Business Talk” on 10 February 2025, Professor Peter Draper examined the shifting terrain of international trade. He highlighted neomercantilist ambitions, volatility driven by COVID-19 and geopolitical strains, and the possibility of the United States exiting the WTO—an event that could significantly alter tariffs worldwide. In an environment shaped by lingering protectionism since the 2008 financial crisis, he urged businesses to prepare by capitalizing on emerging sectors like green transition technologies, digital transformation, and defence.
Trade Negotiation Workshop Begins in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Our Trade Negotiation Workshop in Phnom Penh marks the beginning of a diverse suite of capacity-building initiatives planned for this year. Bringing together government officials, trade experts, and policymakers from across the region, it aims to develop practical negotiation expertise, enhance policy coordination, and foster collaborative dialogue. By focusing on economic diplomacy principles and real-world bargaining strategies, participants will gain hands-on experience designed to strengthen both national and international trade frameworks. This integrated approach ensures sustainable outcomes for all participants.
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Fourth Australia-Europe Economic Relations Dialogue
We were honored to host the Fourth Australia-Europe Economic Relations Dialogue at the University of Adelaide on November 18-19, 2024. With the theme "Deepening Australia-EU Relations in Troubled Times for Trade", this year’s dialogue brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to tackle critical global trade challenges and explore opportunities for closer collaboration between Australia and the EU.
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Webinar: The Future of Australian Aid for Trade: Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Trade and E-commerce
15 November, 2024. The Institute for International Trade and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade hosted a webinar and presentation on The Future of Australian Aid for Trade: Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Trade and E-commerce. The webinar covered the role of the recently concluded Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce, in promoting common rules and transparency upon which developing countries in our region can base their trade and development trajectories.
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