The UK now finds itself outside the EU along with the EFTA countries. Although the UK hasn’t shown interest in as close a relationship with the EU as EFTA, Labour has indicated they would be willing to align in certain areas. Can the UK draw lessons from EFTA’s experience? (1/x)

Ana Peres offers a hopeful take on the possibility of WTO negotiators to learn and adapt their techniques. Lots to think about here on consensus, though she does not solve the Annex 4 conundrum

south-south trade frictions an under-appreciated problem in #WTO .

EU-UK regulatory alignment in action!! Only in this case, it's the EU that's aligning on UK legislation ;-)

EU is proposing to allow pet food to be labelled as organic if it contains at least 95% organic ingredients - not 100% as previously.

UK already stipulates 95% max.

“Could we all be a bit more like Darren Jones? It's harder than it looks.” Sorry Ian, I don’t know.

Published: the agenda for next week’s WTO Goods Council meeting. Lots of detail, with annexes at the request of the US on questions members have not answered and measures not notified.

The Goods Council oversees goods trade and several related committees

docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…

The UK is about to get a taste of full Brexit, as costly new border checks come into force.

When it comes to bacon, that’s going to make the journey far more complex bloom.bg/3y10zmK

It’s always my fault, isn’t it.

Finbarr Bermingham an indication of what was lost when members failed to agree at MC13 to create a new working group to discuss industrial policy aka subsidies, as Peter Ungphakorn (also on Bluesky and Mastodon) and I note here. SCM committee not the best forum tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/03/13/nex…

A fiery session of the WTO's Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) on Tues that demonstrates the divisions between China and the West

The EU, US and China clashed on a number of important topics, ranging from overcapacity to Brussels' EV probe.

A thread 🧵

The UK is finally introducing #SPS checks on imported goods from the EU as from next Tuesday. Is the agri-food supply chain prepared for the imminent changes?

An excellent discussion on the #TradeBites podcast with Anna Doherty and William Bain
👇

soundcloud.com/uktpo-tradebit…

WTO farm talks have resumed after disaster at the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Conference. Brazil proposed a decision by July on how to proceed. The chair called for fresh thinking. Can they do it in 2 years?

Also adopted: a report on food security

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/wto…

🧵

Evidence-based #trade #policy making, anyone?

Congratulations to Sam Lowe for bringing puffins into a piece on trade. For the record, Scottish sand eels should be reserved for Scottish puffins.

Oh, OK Sam, ditto Welsh