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.
Learn more about the European Union
Centre Director: Professor Peter Draper
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DISCUSSION PAPERS
Title Author Discussion paper no. Richard Pomfret 2020-05 The Eurasian Landbridge: Implications of linking East Asia and Europe by rail
Richard Pomfret 2020-04 Is Competition from China So special? Benedikt Heid, Raúl Mínguez, Asier Minondo 2020-03 Structural Gravity and the Gains from Trade under Imperfect Competition Benedikt Heid & Frank Stahler 2020-02 Feeding your workhorse with quality data: analysis of trade costs in Central Asia Alfinura Sharafeyeva 2020-01 2019 Different paths to Economic Integration in Europe and Asia Richard Pomfret 2019-01 The Role of the European Union in the International Trade and Investment Order Steve Woolcock 2019-02 The Import effects of the Entry Price System Fabio Gaetano Santeramo, Laura Marquez-Ramos, Victor Martinez-Gomez, Emilia Lamonaca
2019-03 Richard Pomfret 2019-04 A Novel Institution: The Zollverein and the Origins of the Customs Union
Florian Ploeckl 2019-05 The European Commission's support for the production of these 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.
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POLICY BRIEFS
Carbon Tax Creep Beyond Industrial Goods: Challenges and Risks for Extending Coverage to Agriculture Tim Ryan Open Strategic Autonomy and the New Geoeconomics: Consequences for EU Trade Policy Jens Hillebrand Pohl, Maastricht University Researcher Monitoring the Impact of the EU’s New Foreign Investment Screening Mechanism Jens Hillebrand Pohl, Maastricht University Researcher The Missing Anchor: Why the EU Should Join the CPTPP Peter Draper and Naoise McDonagh, *published by Lowy Institute The European Commission's support for the production of these 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.
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WORKING PAPERS
The future of EU trade policy and strategies in a militarised environment
Peter Draper, Executive Director of the Institute for International Trade & Rolf J Langhammer
Improving Border Adjustment Mechanisms Mike Young, Emeritus Professor in Energy, Water and Environmental Policy at the University of Adelaide The European Commission's support for the production of these 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.
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OPINION PIECES
TITLE AUTHOR(s) The EU and COVID-19 Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Australia-UK relations and the CPTPP Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Biden and Berlin: How Germany can help reset transatlantic relations Andreas Freytag, Professor and Chair of Economic Policy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena and Visiting Professor with IIT Brexit Done, A UK-EU Trade Agreement to Go? Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Can Germany’s New Coalition Modernize the Country to Meet 21st Century Challenges? Andreas Freytag, Professor and Chair of Economic Policy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena and Visiting Professor with IIT Emerging from Lockdown: Threats to the international trade system Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Pursuing an Open Strategic Autonomy trade policy against China: Expect policy fluidity Weinian Hu is Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, Belgium Putting “Values” into Value Chains in an Era of System Rivalry’ Naoise McDonagh, Lecturer in Political Economy, Institute for International Trade Catharina Rinzema & Morten Lokkegaard, Member of European Parliament, Professor Peter Draper, Executive Director of the Institute for International Trade The EU’s ‘Chips Act’: A Rent-Seekers Paradise or a Feasible Industrial Policy? Andreas Freytag, Professor and Chair of Economic Policy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena and Visiting Professor with IIT The market is a powerful instrument to counter human rights violations in China Andreas Freytag, Professor and Chair of Economic Policy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena and Visiting Professor with IIT The UK after Brexit Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Where does the EU’s Eastern Expansion end? Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide Reforming EU Rules of Origin Applied to Trade Agreements with Africa Mike Humphrey, Senior Trade Consultant Why Australia fails to understand the EU Richard Pomfret, Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide The European Commission's support for the production of these 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.
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KEY EVENTS ATTENDED
Representation at key events by The Centre of Excellence in International Trade & Global Affairs
Potential benefits of an Australia – UK Free Trade Agreement The University of Adelaide - Online The future of EU enlargement and partnership policies: EU actorness in South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood Virtual Event AACaPS Annual Conference Griffith University - Australia Uppsala University - Sweden
EU-China economic relations: geo-economic competition, rival models of capitalism and the case of investment screening Australian Institute of International Affairs - Sydney Virtual Symposium on Foreign Investment Screening CELIS Institute - Online -
EVENTS, WORKSHOPS HOSTED or SPONSORED BY CoE
Official Opening, CoE in International Trade and Global Affairs The University of Adelaide Economic Teachers Society Workshop The University of Adelaide Second Australia-Europe Economic Relations Dialogue The University of Adelaide Third Australia-Europe Economic Relations Dialogue Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Senatssaal Swedish Perspectives on the EU's Green Transition The University of Adelaide Reforming EU Rules of Origin applied to Trade Agreements with Africa The University of Adelaide - Webinar Economic Coercion & International Trade. Policy Round Table The University of Adelaide - Intercontinental Hotel Trade4Climate Webinar Series 1 of 3 Hosted by GPTA - online
Updates
30 Apr 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. 11 Nov
The Long and Twisting Road to a Trade Agreement between Australia and the European Union
WORKING PAPER 20 This working paper explores the complex historical and economic relationship between Australia and the European Union (EU), focusing on the challenges in establishing a modern bilateral trade agreement. Although Australia and the EU have shared views on advancing global trade law beyond outdated WTO standards, formal trade negotiations only began in 2017, with several setbacks, including a major collapse in 2021. The paper traces key reasons for this friction, including Australia's strong historical ties with the UK, fluctuating relations with France, and limited engagement from other EU member states. Despite the convergence in trade policies and increased economic ties, factors such as disputes over agricultural access, the geopolitical implications of alliances like AUKUS, and sensitive issues around geographical indicators (e.g., Prosecco and feta) continue to stall progress. This paper underscores that while a trade agreement could yield mutual economic benefits, overcoming entrenched interests and political complexities will be essential for future collaboration. 24 Oct
How is the ‘Business of Climate’ impacting the ‘Climate of Business’?
WORKING PAPER 19: The European Union’s Green Deal introduces the Deforestation Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to ensure sustainable supply chains. These regulations pose challenges for exporters from Emerging Asia, especially smallholder producers, due to strict compliance and documentation requirements. Countries like Indonesia, India, and Malaysia are concerned about the economic burden and trade barriers these rules impose. While certification alignment could ease compliance, high costs remain a barrier. For a smooth transition, the EU needs to improve support mechanisms and foster greater collaboration with affected trading partners
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.
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