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The Impact of Due Diligence Legislation on International Trade and Business: An Analysis of Potential Trade-Offs
WORKNG PAPER 17: As countries increasingly adopt due diligence legislation to promote human rights, labor standards, and environmental sustainability in global value chains, a complex dilemma arises. While these laws commendably aim to address moral and political issues in international trade, they may also impose significant costs on companies, potentially disincentivizing investment and trade. This study examines the impact of due diligence laws on international trade and business, analyzing some 60 cases.
Mapping networks of export credit for fossil and clean energy infrastructure
WORKING PAPER 16: Official Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) are pivotal in the global energy sector, investing billions annually in fossil fuel projects. They could significantly boost the energy transition by reducing risks in large projects and supporting climate finance goals. Our working paper analyzes ECA financing in Asia-Pacific, highlighting integrated fossil fuel lending across diverse nations without clear geopolitical divides, unlike the fragmented clean energy network dominated by a "China vs. the rest" pattern. To enhance ECAs' climate contributions, the study suggests ending fossil fuel financing, easing clean energy project requirements, increasing renewable energy funding, and expanding ECAs' roles via blended finance. The IEA stresses ECAs are crucial for achieving net zero by 2050.
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The New Agreement on Electronic Commerce updates The World Trade Organisation Rulebook for the 21st Century
WTO credibility with the global business community is salvaged. Despite much media focus on worrisome protectionist and isolationist trends, a new and constructive era of global trade governance has quietly begun.
A Survey of Australians’ Attitudes to Trade with the European Union
The re-election of EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen offers the prospect for restarting trade talks between Australia and the EU. Therefore, we are pleased to announce the results of our recently commissioned survey of Australians’ attitudes towards the European Union, and the delayed free trade agreement in particular. Overall, Australians strongly support the EU and the FTA. These results, and many other interesting findings that reinforce Australia’s growing partnership with the EU, are available here. Click "read more" to read the full report and results.
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Book Launch: Export Restrictions and Export Controls, with focus on the US-China Semiconductor War.
The Institute for International Trade invites you to a book launch "Export Restriction & Export Controls, with focus on the US-China Semiconductor War". Thursday 4 July, 2024 at 12:1pm. Guest speaker and author, Associate Professor Umair Hafeez Ghori, Faculty of Law, Bond University. Moderator: Professor Peter Draper, Executive Director, Institute for International Trade.
This is an in person event, register now to secure your place !
International Trade and Sustainable Development: The Future of Climate and Biodiversity Governance
POLICY BRIEF No.26 - Dr. Tracey Dodd, Prof. Johanna Kujala, Dr. Riikka Tapaninaho, Dr. Annika Blomberg, Dr. Anna Hannula, Heta Leinonen, and Filippe Delarissa Barros. History shows that existing approaches to international treaties, like the Paris Agreement, have not yet delivered adequate action to avoid catastrophic climate change by the turn of the century. A new approach to climate and biodiversity governance is therefore needed. Specifically, one that can consider tensions brewing across the principles of national interests and trade liberalism, and the critical issue of sustainable development that can ensure global economic stability and continued productive trade between nations.
The Value of Cross-border Digital Transmissions to MSMEs in Indonesia: Implications for Participation in the WTO E-commerce Moratorium
WORKING PAPER 15: Cross-border digital transmissions are crucial components of the global trading system. Currently, WTO members do not impose custom duties on inward flows, in-keeping with the WTO’s temporary moratorium. However, it is likely this moratorium will expire, and key members may move to impose taxes in the future. As our latest Working Paper attests, in Indonesia’s case this would amount to significant self-harm.
Carbon Border Tax: How the CBAM could hold great potential for Australian Business
WORKING PAPER 14: Soon the Australian government’s Carbon Leakage review will recommend whether the country should adopt a border carbon tax, or not. In our latest Working Paper Dr Susan Stone sets out her reasoning for why we should.
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Trade Policy Decoded - Episode 11: MC13 and the Future of Rules Based Trade
In Episode 11 of Trade Policy Decoded, Pru and Peter discuss the outcomes of the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organisation held in Abu Dhabi from 26 Feb to 1 March 2024. The podcast delves into the reasons for the few positive outcomes and the increasing challenges to the multilateral system. This includes the possibility of the US withdrawing from the WTO under a potential second Trump Administration. Will plurilaterals save the day?
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Beyond China: Why Australia must look to Southeast Asia for trade and investment
At the recently concluded Melbourne Summit Australia cemented its ties with ASEAN economies and announced a series of measures to support our businesses to grow their Southeast Asia footprints. In this incisive opinion Dr Nathan Gray makes the case for greater Australian economic engagement with the Southeast Asian region, and reflects on the government’s recent Southeast Asia 2040 Strategy.
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