Weekly trade review provided by Chatto Creek Advisory Pty.
Chatto Creek Advisory Pty Ltd is a Melbourne-based strategic consultancy specializing in trade policy advice and government engagement strategy. It is headed by Russell Scoular, an executive with rich government relations, trade policy and business experience throughout Asia Pacific.
EU OUTLINES GREEN PLAN FOR INDONESIAN FTA
The EU has published a sustainability impact report to guide its current negotiations with Indonesia for a trade agreement. It will include access for climate friendly goods, fostering of environmental governance and the sustainable management of resources.
INDIA PURSUES US TRADE AGREEMENT
The Ministry of Commerce has spoken of substantial progress towards concluding a limited trade package with the US. This could lead to the negotiation of an FTA. The statement followed a telephone call between Commerce Minister Goyal and Commerce Secretary Ross.
AUSTRALIAN FARMERS MAKE 11 TH HOUR PLEA
The National Farmers’ Federation this week again urged the Government not to appeal a court ruling that found a live cattle export ban to Indonesia in 2011 was legally invalid. The NFF called on Prime Minister Morrison to let the decision stand and justice be served.
CANNED PEACHES FACE NEW ZEALAND REVIEW
The Ministry of Business has begun a full review of anti-dumping tariffs on canned peaches imported from Greece. Anti-dumping tariffs were first applied in 1998. The latest iteration took effect in 2015 and was to expire this month unless a review had commenced.
EU-CHINA DEAL GETS CLOSER
A bilateral EU-China trade agreement has cleared the European Council. It will provide protection for 100 EU agri-food GIs (geographical indication names) in China. Likewise, 100 Chinese products will be protected in the EU. The approval of the European Parliament is now required.
US LAUNCHES SUITE OF DUMPING INQUIRIES
The Commerce Department has this week begun a series of anti-dumping inquiries on goods from a range of Asia Pacific economies. They include silicon metal from Malaysia, seamless copper pipe and tube from Vietnam and steel welded wire mesh from Mexico.
CHINA & KOREA LOOKING TO EXPAND FTA
Negotiators from China and South Korea have been meeting this week for an 8 th time as they seek to expand the services and investment elements of the bilateral FTA the two economies signed five years ago. The latest talks were held by video.
AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES MALAYSIAN DUMPING INQUIRY
The Anti-Dumping Commission has launched an anti-dumping inquiry into concrete underlay film products imported from Malaysia. It follows a complaint by a domestic producer. A preliminary determination can be made 60 days after the inquiry begins.
NZ LOOKS TO CHINA FOR VIRTUAL SIGNING
Prime Minister Ardern told a China Business Summit in Auckland this week she hoped the two economies would be able to overcome COVID-19 interruptions and sign an FTA upgrade agreement by video. Negotiations for the upgrade were concluded last November.
CHINA SEEKS TO BOOST PORK SUPPLIES
China has sought to boost domestic pork supplies and lower
pricing by releasing 27,000 tonnes of frozen pork from a central reserve. The pork was released in two caches over the past week. China’s pork production has been heavily impacted by African swine fever.
