Policy & Engagement
In recent years we have seen unprecedented debate concerning the legitimacy of trade agreements, widespread concern about the potential effects of globalisation and a dangerous resurgence of protectionism which has the potential to profoundly impact economic development and trade arrangements throughout the world.
Today, more than ever, universities have a critical role to play in supporting the pursuit of effective, transparent and responsible trade policy which is both responsive to economic challenges and enables countries to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the global economy.
The Institute for International Trade works closely with our partners to develop and maintain a deep dialogue with government, business, civil society and the wider public.
Stories and opinions
Geopolitics, Trade and Protectionism: Covid-19’s impact and paths forward
Dr. Naoise McDonagh - Lecturer in Political Economy, Institute for International Trade
As the coronavirus continues to spread globally, country after country has had to implement the three “L”s: lockdown non-essential services and operations; lockout all non-essential people who are not citizens; lock-in all goods that are considered to be essential to managing the growing health emergency.
Non-Tariff Measures and Behind-the-Border Domestic Regulation Impacting Trade in Research and Innovation Services
Simon Lacey - Senior Lecturer in International Trade, The University of Adelaide
This topic is very interesting and slightly unusual, not least because non-tariff barriers are trade barriers that only affect trade in goods, since by definition a tariff can arguably only be levied on a physical good as it crosses a border.
The EU and COVID-19
Richard Pomfret - Professor of Economics & Jean Monnet Chair Economics of European Integration, The University of Adelaide
The EU has had a crisis-ridden decade with the sovereign debt, migration and Brexit crises. By the end of 2019, with the Greek debt crisis winding down, migration and refugees out of the headlines and Brexit done, skies looked clearer for the new Commission under Ursula von der Leyen and the new head of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde.
Women in International Trade, enabling world economies for gender equality
Adriana Espejo Sanchez - Ph.D. Candidate: Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide
Celebrating women’s achievements globally during International Women’s Day 2020 provides an opportune time to reflect not only on the critical role women play in society, but also to consider what actions are still required on the road to gender parity..
Digital Trade Policy: Governance of Cross-Border Data Flows
Digital Trade Policy: Governance of Cross-Border Data Flows
Presented at the Institute by Bryan Mercurio, Simon F.S. Li Professor of Law from The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Data flows play a vital role in Hong Kong’s economy, especially as the city is seeking to become Asia’s Fintech hub
The UK after Brexit
Richard Pomfret - Professor of Economics & Jean Monnet Chair Economics of European Integration, The University of Adelaide
On 31 January 2020 Britons celebrated or mourned the UK’s departure from the European Union. Brexit will be followed by a transition period until the end of the current EU budget cycle on 31 December 2020. During the transition, the UK will continue to adhere to EU rules while managing the practicalities of Brexit.
24 Feb
Trade and Investment in Services: An urgent Agenda
17 February 2020 - IIT staff and Ph.D. Students attended the seminar "Trade and Investment in Services: An urgent Agenda” presented by Hein Roelfsema, IIT's visiting Associate Professor for International Economics. 24 Feb 21 February 2020, the Centre of Excellence and the Trade and Investment in Services Associates (TIISA) network co-hosted with the Australian Institute for International Affairs a Policy Round Table on The Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement: Boosting Australian Innovation and Services Exports. 14 Feb
Adaptive Trade Leadership in a Globalised World Program
Announcing an exciting new collaboration with the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA) to equip international business leaders with the technical trade knowledge and advanced complex and adaptive thinking capacities needed to succeed in today's global business environment. 16 Jan
A Phase One Deal, but for what purpose?
Naoise McDonagh - Lecturer, Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide 15 Jan
Vietnam: economic outlook and role as ASEAN chair in 2020
Milton Churche and Michael Mugliston, visiting fellows at the Institute for International Trade at the University of Adelaide in South Australia 20 Dec Weinian Hu - Research Fellow at Centre for European Policy Studies, Belgium.
The Round Table centred on presentations by Jan Hutton, Deputy Chief Australian Negotiator in the FTA negotiations, and TIISA fellow Hein Roelfsema from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) and a contribution by Cornelis Keijzer from the EU negotiating team. The lively Q&A were led by Jane Drake-Brockman (TIISA Coordinator) and Richard Pomfret (Centre of Excellence Director).
The event, held at the Science Exchange in Adelaide, attracted an audience of around seventy people.
What does the Phase One trade deal between the U.S. and China indicate for the wider trade conflict between the two countries? To answer that question requires analysis of the deal’s specifics in the broader context of the trade conflict and its underlying causes.
Vietnam serves as ASEAN Chair in 2020, granting authority to shape the group’s priorities for the year ahead. Building on Vietnam’s recent successes in trade negotiations the country can use its Chair to enhance ASEAN’s role supporting a rules-based international trading order.
Industrial subsidisation is an area identified for WTO rule-strengthening by the European Union (EU) and the Trilateral Trade Ministerial Cooperation (hereafter Trilateral Cooperation). The aim is to curb certain trade practices spearheaded by China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which allegedly engender over-capacity, distort markets and undermine the effectiveness of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM). The obligations of transparency and notification prescribed by the ASCM require strengthening, too.