IISD Trade and Sustainability Review, Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2022
This edition of the IISD Trade and Sustainability Review discusses a range of issues relating to the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and key issues at the intersection of trade policy and the environment.
Articles
Did COVID-19 Trigger a “New Normal” in Trade Policy?
Written by Simon J. Evenett
Many shocks have occurred in the global trading system in the past two and a half years, but are these shocks different than the time before the pandemic? Simon Evenett, founder of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade, goes in depth on the different types of commercial policy intervention before and after the pandemic.
Read article here.
Can China Contribute to Climate Action in Latin America?
Written by Sisi Tang
China is an investor, creditor, and trading partner to Latin America, but what can be done to contribute to climate action within the region? Sisi Tang, a trade lawyer, explores crediting mechanisms for clean energy, debt-for-climate swaps, and a greener free trade agreement as initiatives that could transition China’s focus from economic expansion to sustainable development.
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Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine: Global trade implications after 7 months of war
Written by Olesia Kryvetska
The global trading system has been pushed to its limits since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 7 months ago. Olesia Kryvetska, a counsel with Asters law firm and head of the Ukrainian Bar Association’s International Trade Law Committee, details the heaviest implications since the beginning of the war, namely soaring commodity and energy prices, food security crises, and supply chain disruptions.
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The Role of Technology Sanctions in Crippling Russia’s War Machine
Written by Iryna Bogdanova
The war waged by Russia against Ukraine has seen many sanctions imposed attempting to stall the war, namely economic but also technological. Iryna Bogdanova, post-doctoral research fellow at the World Trade Institute, University of Bern, discusses these technology sanctions, their role and effectiveness in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Read article here.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity: A new approach to trade and economic engagement
Written by Emily Benson and Grant Reynolds
The new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity initiative between the United States and 13 other countries strives toward a connected, resilient, clean, and fair economy. Emily Benson and Grant Reynolds from the Center for Strategic and International Studies present an overview of the agreement, as well as tangible outcomes and next steps for member countries.
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World Trade Organization Talks on Agricultural Subsidies Should Consider Trade-offs Among Trade, Food Security, and the Environment
Written by Facundo Calvo
The issue of agricultural subsidies has largely been approached at the WTO from both a trade and a food security angle. Facundo Calvo, agricultural policy analyst for IISD, argues that the environmental angle of agricultural subsidies has largely been overlooked until now, and discusses possible avenues to address this environmental angle at the WTO.
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The Road to a Treaty on (Marine) Plastic Pollution
Written by Tallash Kantai
Last March, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 5/14 to end plastic pollution through an international legally binding instrument. Tallash Kantai, an associate with IISD, discusses the roots of this process and explores how environment and trade can interact to ensure a fair and ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution.
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How to Recalibrate Trade Adjustment Assistance to Help Workers Hurt by Trade Liberalization
Written by Andreas Oeschger
The United States has blocked the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, since July 1, 2022, leaving thousands of workers who lost their jobs due to trade liberalization without access to the TAA’s benefits. IISD’s Andreas Oeschger discusses how the program could be improved to help those worse off from trade and secure more resilient trade liberalization in the future.
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World Bank’s Mari Pangestu: Time to walk the walk on mainstreaming gender in decision making
Written by Jennifer Freedman
The gap between theory and practice of gender mainstreaming in policy-making remains wide even though the concept has been around for decades. Jennifer Freedman, managing editor of IISD’s Trade and Sustainability Review, interviews Mari Pangestu of the World Bank about the importance of mainstreaming gender in decision making.
Read article here.
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