Centre of Excellence of International Trade & Global Affairs

Funded under the EU Erasmus Plus Program, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in International Trade and Global Affairs develop and deliver research projects, outreach and curricular activities integrating knowledge on the European Union.

The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in International Trade and Global Affairs draws on our academic strengths and experience in international trade, investment, law, business and international relations to develop and deliver research projects, outreach and curricular activités integrating knowledge on the European Union.In particular, the Centre will create synergies, promote trans-disciplinary dialogue and leverage expertise and networks to engage audiences across and beyond campus to.

The Centre will promote wider community engagement with this critical field through the dissemination of research outcomes, public seminars and workshops intended to provide audiences with the requisite knowledge and critical skills to engage in meaningful debate on important issues related to globalisation, regional integration and support effective trade policy development and regulatory governance.  

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Centre Director: Professor Peter Draper 

Peter Draper

Updates

18

Jun

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.

27

May

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.

30

Apr

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.

28

Nov

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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European Union

With the support of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

The European Commission's support for the production of any associated publications does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.