Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide

We are thrilled to announce that the IIT team has won the Excellence in International Partnership Award at the annual Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide Awards for Outstanding Achievement, celebrating the exceptional work and dedication of our colleagues! A big congratulations as well to Qazi Haque, our colleague at the School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide , for receiving the Excellence in Research Award. These recognitions highlight the incredible talent and contributions within our Faculty. Congratulations to all the recipients! Peter Draper Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing Harry Wardana Sarah Warner Jade Ryles

We’re pleased to share an insightful review by IIT Lecturer, Dr Vutha Hing, of "Special and Differential Treatment Reform in the WTO: The Differentiated Differentiation Approach" by Aniekan Ukpe, PhD (Routledge, 2024). The review explores key themes, including the innovative "differentiated differentiation" approach, which advocates agreement-specific criteria for SDT eligibility to better reflect the diverse economic capacities of WTO members. This work contributes to the critical dialogue on reforming SDT provisions to enhance equity and effectiveness in global trade governance. An essential read for those interested in the evolving dynamics of international trade. Read the full review by Vutha here: https://shorturl.at/ed3zy #InternationalTrade #WTO #SDTReform #GlobalTrade Peter Draper Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Harry Wardana School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide

We're pleased to bring attention to the recently published #T20 policy brief, "Trade and the Environmental Poly-Crisis - Making the WTO Fit to Better Deal with Trade and the Environment," which features contributions from our Executive Director, Professor Peter Draper. This timely brief explores how global trade can be a powerful tool for advancing environmental goals amidst pressing global challenges. The brief emphasizes: - Enhancing current WTO rules to better address environmental concerns. - Using G20 dialogue mechanisms to deal with environment-related trade disputes. - Reforming the WTO’s Trade Policy Reviews to enhance transparency on the trade-environmental nexus. #TradeAndEnvironment #WTOReform #G20 #SustainableTrade #PolicyBrief sait akman Axel Berger Andreas Freytag Stormy-Annika Mildner Maarten Smeets Harry Wardana Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide

We are excited to share the latest #T20 policy brief, "Making WTO Ministerial Conferences Great Again," with contributions from our Executive Director, Professor Peter Draper, alongside other experts. This brief addresses the urgent challenges facing the WTO and presents actionable recommendations to revitalize its Ministerial Conferences (MCs). With global trade navigating rising geo-political tensions, protectionism, and evolving trade dynamics, the call for reform is more pressing than ever. Key recommendations include: - Holding WTO Ministerial Conferences annually to ensure continuous strategic guidance. - Strengthening the deliberative function of MCs to engage all stakeholders. - Enhancing the role of the General Council between conferences. #WTO #TradePolicy #G20 #MC13 #PolicyBrief #TradeReform sait akman Clara Brandi Trudi Hartzenberg Maarten Smeets Kim Ngan Vu Harry Wardana Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing T20 Brasil School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide

Lots to ponder after an excellent couple of days in Adelaide for the 4th Australia-EU Economic Relations Dialogue hosted by the University of Adelaide. The key theme running through the 2-day dialogue revolved around how Canberra, Brussels and EU member states can cooperate economically and strategically in a world that is more uncertain, less rule-based and increasingly hostile to many shared EU-Australia values and interests. Some research questions I came away with on "Big Picture Geopolitics and Multilateralism: 👉 Should the WTO be ruling on a country’s national security interests? This is a contentious one, since WTO members have signed up to rules that include Article 21 National Security restrictions, yet clearly a bunch of trade lawyers in Geneva are not well-placed to decide on such matters! 👉 What does it mean for the future of multilateralism if there is no K-Group? A 'K-Group' in the trade political science literature is the minimum number of interacting players needed to generate self-sustaining cooperation. The norms and/or interests of the K-Group must typically overlap to a large enough degree that constructive negotiation is possible. 👉If we assume geopolitics trumps multilaterliams, what are the second-best trade architectures for driving rules-based development globally/regionally? 👉 How can Australia and EU cooperation on second-best trade architectures? 👉 What are the costs of global economic fragmentation; what is the value of trade as a strategic asset? 👉 How can like-minded partners cooperation on economic security? What kind of policy learning can be done from existing economic security frameworks? 👉 How can Australia and EU cooperate in light of challenges of US trade policy unilateralism? 👉 How can Aus, EU cooperate to enhance shared interests? E.g. critical minerals is an obvious one, yet the relationship is thus far undercooked! 👉 Global South view on these issues; who do they align with, what is in their economic security interest? A rich array of questions for stimulating a research agenda! My thanks to the organizers of the dialogue, Peter Draper - Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide, Andreas Freytag - Jena University and Michael Plummer - John Hopkins SAIS. My further thanks to all the participants who shared their extensive insights! #economicsecurity #geoeconomics Harry Wardana Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Ken Ash

For all incoming Trump Administration trade policy watchers this Matthew Goodman piece is required reading 😉. Note this paragraph in particular: "Officials in Tokyo have heard that the incoming Trump team plans to group countries into three buckets—allies, adversaries, and others—and to assess tariffs on each depending on how countries perform on four criteria: 1. the level and direction of their defense spending 2. the level and direction of their bilateral trade imbalance with the United States 3. how many U.S. Treasury securities they purchase 4. whether they manipulate their currency" And much more besides. At least Australia will come near "top of the class" on 1, 2, and 4, and is relatively insignificant vis a vis 3 (I think 🤔 ). Having just written a paper on whether IPEF is an economic security cooperation framework (code for China derisking) and tentatively arguing that it is, I wonder whether Trump's relatively good foreign (economic) policy team will try to walk him back from exiting IPEF on day 1? Naoise McDonagh, Phd Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Harry Wardana Vutha Hing Dr Tim Legrand Deborah Elms Simon Evenett Alan Wm. Wolff Xiankun Lu Institute for International Trade | University of Adelaide Yarik Turianskyi Maarten Smeets Tim Yeend Michael Plummer Andreas Freytag

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. Highlights included: - Thought-provoking discussions on the shifting geopolitical landscape and its impact on trade policy. - Insights into the stalled EU-Australia FTA negotiations and opportunities for trusted supply chain partnerships, particularly in critical minerals. - Debates on the role of trade policy in addressing climate change, including the EU’s CBAM and Australia’s green industrial strategy. - Collaborative exploration of multilateral trading system reforms, with a focus on revitalizing the WTO. Thank you to all speakers, panelists, and attendees for fostering such a dynamic exchange of ideas. A special thanks to the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on Trade and Environment for their sponsorship. We look forward to continuing this important dialogue and driving action to strengthen Australia-EU economic ties. Harry Wardana Peter Draper Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing Demus King Bryan Clark Jason Collins Tim Yeend Naoise McDonagh, Phd Michael Plummer Andreas Freytag Michael Cook Kendall Crowe Ivana Damjanovic Dr Tracey Dodd Jane Drake-Brockman Alicia Garcia-Herrero 艾西亞 Caragh Heugh Johnson Alica Kizeková Rebecca Knol Herve Lemahieu Paul Louis Liew @Graham 'Gus' Nathan Susan Stone Frances van Ruth Dr Naomi Verdonk Markus Wagner Wenxiao Wang Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide Joanna P. Ken Ash Chris Barnes Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of State Development Joe Szakacs Angus Cavanough School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide We also thank Jo-Anna Robinson for her outstanding photography, capturing the energy and engagement of the dialogue. #TradePolicy #AustraliaEU #EconomicRelations #ClimateAction #MultilateralTrade

OUT NOW - Episode 21 of Trade Policy Decoded In this episode, Pru and Peter are joined by Professor Andreas Freytag from Friedrich Schiller University Jena to explore the trade policy implications of a potential second Trump presidency. The discussion delves into Trump’s promised new tariffs, lingering trade tensions from his first term, and how key players like China, the EU, and Australia might respond. Andreas also weighs in on the prospects for international trade cooperation in a world where the United States steps back from its traditional leadership role. Surprisingly, the episode ends on an optimistic note! Tune in for this insightful conversation 👉 🎙 https://shorturl.at/STfXI Prudence Gordon Peter Draper Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment Bryan Clark Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing Harry Wardana

OUT NOW - Episode 20 of Trade Policy Decoded In this episode, Pru and Peter talk to Professor Frank Jotzo from The Australian National University about his work leading the Australian Government's review into the risk of carbon leakage. Measures to reduce carbon emissions can raise costs for businesses, creating an uneven playing field with international competitors and potentially shifting production to countries with weaker climate policies—a phenomenon known as carbon leakage. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is one way to address this challenge, but will Australia follow suit? Only Minister Bowen knows for sure, but Frank’s review provides some useful insights into what such a policy might look like for Australia. Tune in for a fascinating discussion 👉 🎙 https://shorturl.at/qQe1u Peter Draper Prudence Gordon Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide Vutha Hing Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Harry Wardana Bryan Clark Dessie Tarko Ambaw Wenxiao Wang Susan Stone

We are thrilled to share highlights from our recent webinar on the pivotal role of digitization in the future of aid for trade. Key themes included trade facilitation, climate-related trade measures, and digitization—areas that align closely with Australia's international development priorities. We were honored to have Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, deliver an inspiring opening address about Australian aid for trade. He emphasized Australia's commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Indo-Pacific through initiatives that leverage digital trade and e-commerce. Our distinguished speakers offered valuable insights: - H.E. Tekreth Kamrang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia. - Sylvie Mailelani, Co-Owner and Director of Mailelani Samoa Skin Care Products. - Rebecca Worner, Program Director at Market Development Facility, Palladium. We also delved into the impact of the recently concluded Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce, highlighting how common rules and transparency can shape the trade and development trajectories of countries in the Indo-Pacific. A heartfelt thank you to our Visiting Fellow Jane Drake-Brockman for moderating the session, and David Yardley and Jim Redden for their insightful concluding remarks. For those who couldn't join us, the recording of the webinar is now available: https://shorturl.at/XvSWr. We encourage everyone interested in aid for trade and the digital economy to watch it and join the conversation. #AidForTrade #DigitalEconomy #Ecommerce #SustainableGrowth #IndoPacific #TradeDevelopment Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics - University of Adelaide School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide Peter Draper Dr Nathan Gray (Ph.D)(GAICD) Vutha Hing Harry Wardana Theo Politis Caroline Kempeneer