American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)’s Post

In an interview with the American Journal of Transportation, #WTCA, Drew Company and #TCMA Chair, John E. Drew shares highlights from the recent World Trade Centers Association Member Forum in New York, emphasizing the power of global collaboration and innovation in trade. 📌 Key takeaways include: - The impact of AI on global trade. - Building business clubs to foster networking and education. - Insights on tariffs and emerging markets like India and Latin America. He emphasizes how #WTCA is committed to adapting to the times and supporting its members in shaping the future of international commerce. 👉 Read the full article for actionable strategies: https://hubs.ly/Q02YZRbV0

A deeper look into Free Trade Agreements … as EU FTAs are essential for our economy and we have to win over more countries to agree to more FTAs … still a possible avenue - why not try …

As the WTO struggles to conclude a new round of multilateral liberalization, governments are increasingly turning to bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs) as a means of achieving their different strategies and objectives. But not all FTAs are created equal, and with the stakes so high, it is fair to ask whether the growing number of FTAs are helping private- and public-sector organizations achieve the much-vaunted benefits. #exports #imports #freetradeagreement #tariffs #dutyfree #wto https://lnkd.in/e558RxCH

A big shout-out Thank you goes out to Kent Shigetomi of the US Trade Representatives office who spoke with my State Power, Business Interests, & Multinational Trade Agreements class @ the Thunderbird School of Global Management about how trade agreements are actually negotiated. My students had these comments: -As a student attending this trade and business class, I found Kent Shigetomi's presentation to be highly informative and eye-opening. His insider perspective on trade negotiations provided valuable insights that go beyond what we typically learn from textbooks. -Our speaker, Kent Shigetomi, offered invaluable insights from his experiences within the USTR, an organization with which I’ve had limited prior exposure. His firsthand perspective on negotiating critically significant free trade agreements (FTAs) provided a nuanced understanding of how negotiations vary depending on the context. -Shigetomi's description of the U.S. approach to trade negotiations, with its extensive stakeholder consultations, was enlightening. -Kent Shigetomi’s presentation offered valuable insights into U.S. trade policy and non-tariff measures, reflecting his extensive experience in international trade negotiations. He provided a clear overview of the evolution of U.S. trade agreements, emphasizing the formal processes and the growing importance of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). -Overall, Shigetomi's presentation was incredibly valuable in bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice. It's given me a much clearer picture of the complexities involved in international trade negotiations and policy development.

Regional and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) have become increasingly popular as a way for countries to liberalize trade and gain economic advantages. FTAs allow members to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers, facilitating cross-border commerce and investment flows. #BCG developed the Trade Engagement Index (TEI) to analyze over 100 economies' free trade agreements and how they compare in terms of usage, depth and overall strength. The TEI clusters economies into #four broad trade strategy archetypes based on how extensive their FTA networks are and how deeply the agreements liberalize trade. [1] "Free-trade stalwarts" like the UK and Canada have broad FTA coverage and high levels of liberalization. [2] "Targeted allies" like Vietnam, Korea and Norway have wide FTA coverage but lower levels of liberalization with the protection of certain industries. [3] The US, Gulf states, and Taiwan are "selective optimizers" focussing on liberalizing trade with a few key partners. [4] Countries like China, India, Turkey and the #East #African #Community (EAC) are classified as "independent movers" with limited FTA coverage and effectiveness. The TEI could help governments and businesses better understand trade strategies and their implications. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPrDwk8t? #ChooseBYRD #Consulting #Data #FinancialAdvisory #TradeFinance #Trade #Africa #BusinessConsulting #TEI

WTO Engages Minister of Trade & Industry The representative from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay on the 18th of June 2024. The visit aimed at discussing the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism and its relevance to Sierra Leone, underscores the country's commitment to enhancing its trade policies and integration into the global trading system. The meeting was attended by the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, a cross-session of senior officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Trade Policy Review expert from WTO. The WTO representative, Mr. Michael Kolie, emphasized the importance of the TPRM in promoting transparency, accountability, and stability in global trade. During the meeting, Mr. Michael Kolie provided an in-depth overview of the TPRM, explaining its objectives and the process through which it operates. Noting that the TPRM aims to increase the transparency of WTO member countries' trade policies, ensure compliance with international trade agreements, and foster constructive dialogue among member states. The Hon. Minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay welcomed the WTO representative, stating, "The WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism is a crucial tool for Sierra Leone as we strive to align our trade policies with international standards. Stating that the review will provide the Ministry of Trade and Industry with valuable insights and recommendations that will help the Government through the leadership of His Excellency, Brig (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio to enhance our trade practices, boost economic growth, and attract foreign investments. The Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry went forward by expressing optimism about the benefits of the TPRM. Noting that our engagement in the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism is a testament to the Government of Sierra Leone's commitment to improving our trade policies. He concludes by saying the government looks forward to the insights and recommendations that will emerge from this review, which will be instrumental in driving our economic development." The courtesy visit by the WTO TPRM representative marks a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone's efforts to enhance its trade policies and practices as the last WTO Sierra Leone Trade Policy review was conducted in 2017. By actively participating in the TPRM, Sierra Leone is taking significant steps towards fostering a more open, stable, and competitive trade environment that will benefit the nation and its people #WTO #ministeroftradeandindustry #AuntyCorruption #NASCAR #SLP #MinistryOfDefence #scca #ministryoftrade #namati #FCC #EPA #ministryofinformationandciviceducation #MinistryofFinance #ministryoftheenvironment #UNDP #Eu #irshad #USAID #britishhighcommission #UNCRC #WorldBank #parliment #ministryoftrade https://lnkd.in/dWpaHWhe

Why the U.S. Needs #USMCA More Than Ever? Failing to renew or derailing the trade agreement isn’t just bad economics—it risks advancing China’s and Russia’s global ambitions.🇨🇳🇷🇺 In my latest piece for Americas Quarterly, co-authored with Antonio Ortiz-Mena, PhD, we break down why a strong #USMCA is crucial for North America’s competitiveness and global stability. 👇🏽 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eYggVMhf #TradePolicy #USMexicoRelations #NorthAmerica #Geopolitics Wilson Center | Mexico Institute Wilson Center | Canada Institute Emilie Sweigart Jose Enrique Arrioja 🙏🏽

Buller School of Business - Providence UC and Márcio Coelho Knowledge gathered from the last class in Chapter 8 and 9 Chapter 8: Foreign Direct Investment This chapter has given me a good understanding of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and how it is shaped by government policies. Some countries, like the U.S., restrict outward FDI to encourage local investments, using tax rules or political restrictions. On the other hand, host countries often offer incentives to attract FDI because it helps create jobs and grow the economy. They might also set restrictions for security reasons or to boost local ownership. Also, the WTO has made FDI easier, especially in sectors like telecommunications, but there are no universal rules. Dunning's theory explains why companies prefer FDI over licensing or exporting when they need more control. This is because they (companies) have the most leverage with governments when they offer something valuable and face little competition. In Chapter 9: Regional Economic Integration. In this chapter, I have gotten a clearer idea of how regional economic integration works and how it affects trade. It breaks down the different levels, starting with Free Trade Areas that just remove barriers for goods, to more complex setups like Customs Unions and Economic Unions where countries share trade policies or even use the same currency, like in the EU. I found the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) especially interesting because it focuses on boosting trade across Africa by cutting tariffs. These agreements can definitely help countries grow and cooperate, but they also mean countries have to give up a bit of control over their own policies.

While trade protectionism is dominating US politics, international trade is far from dead. Indeed, many countries are pursuing a proactive trade agenda, getting involved in a broad range of trade negotiations and creating new trade clubs or updating pre-existing ones. These include the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Switzerland, South Korea, Singapore, the UK and the EU. 🌏 The Asia-Pacific has seen the creation of two large agreements - the CPTTP and RCEP, while the ASEAN has emerged as a large hub connecting its members with several large economies in the region. 🌍 A very large Free Trade Agreement is being implemented in Africa - the African Continental Free Trade Area. 🤝 The vibrant trade scene goes beyond FTAs, with countries entering into smaller deals or negotiating issue-specific arrangements. Many countries are negotiating digital partnership agreements. https://lnkd.in/eyjWdjvz #internationaltrade #trade

WTO - The World Trade Organization The WTO provides a forum for negotiating agreements aimed at reducing obstacles to international trade and ensuring a level playing field for all, thus contributing to economic growth and development.The WTO also provides a legal and institutional framework for the implementation and monitoring of these agreements, as well as for settling disputes arising from their interpretation and