15th April 2018
Trump U-turns again on TPP. EU just presses on with TPP’s key members
The Trump administration's stances on the TPP in April probably established an all-time record for policy U-turns. The TPP's major members, though, made real progress with the EU Trump's wobbles...
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22nd May 2017
11 Pacific nations decide to salvage TPP – but no firm timetable
Japan and other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreed on May 21 to pursue their trade deal - but were vague on the detail of what "pursue" meant.A planned meeting...
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8th March 2017
What’s the Chinese for hogwash?
“China must be ready to face [the] growing trend of protectionism” said its Premier Li Keqiang on March 5. Well, he should know. Time after time, whichever political parties have...
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1st March 2017
Still unclear who’s coming to jilted TPP partners’ future planning meeting in Chile
It remains unclear which countries are attending the meeting called for March 14-15 in Viña del Mar, Chile, to discuss options for trade co-operation after US withdrawal from the TPP. The...
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4th February 2017
First details emerge of probable NAFTA and Border Tax legislation – but where’s China?
US Congressional Republican leaders made their pitch on February 1 and 2 for handling NAFTA renegotiation and border taxes. Trump’s earlier China commitments seem to have disappeared. NAFTA renegotiation Donald...
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31st January 2017
Jilted TPP partners divided over response
The eleven countries abandoned by the US when it left the Trans Pacific Partnership on January 23 appear seriously divided about what to do next. Beijing continues to suggest their...
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9th December 2016
Trump sourcing plans shot down by his own team
Crucial sourcing commitments by President-Elect Donald Trump came under fire from his own side in early December. At the end of October, Donald Trump made 29 commitments about his immediate...
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25th November 2016
Can US apparel importers expect sudden price rises – or a trade war?
How seriously should brands and retailers take reports that Trump will slap extra duties on Chinese imports – and China’s almost hysterical response to those reports? I think they create...
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17th November 2016
Trade with China. Triumph of hope over experience?
The British Brexit debate, and the aftermath of Trump's election, are bringing out widely contrasting views of China as a business partner. Some are hopelessly naive. British hope One of...
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17th November 2016
US Congressional committee claims China “violates the spirit and the letter of its international trade obligations”
A US Congressional committee prepared a report before the November 8 elections savagely attacking China's good faith as a trading partner. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (composed only of...
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17th November 2016
A bad week for Brexit.
Theresa May keeps insisting “Brexit means Brexit”. But no-one in Britain can agree what Brexit means, how long it’ll take to get there or what Britain’s trade policy will be...
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13th November 2016
Trump’s global trade policy: act like a New York garmento
The developed world depends almost entirely on imports from poorer countries for its clothing. The world's biggest apparel importer looks certain to transform its attitude to importing that apparel Since...
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