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Driving Dialogue and Innovation in Trade Policy
Governments, international organisations, and stakeholders face the challenge of ensuring trade contributes to sustainable development, inclusivity, and environmental and social goals. Trade plays a vital role in sustainable development but often faces criticism due to its societal trade-offs and environmental impacts. In this context, TPH supports evidence-based policymaking, equipping stakeholders to navigate trade policy trade-offs and implement effective policies.
Latest news
We are pleased to share insights from the newly released report by LSE Consulting’s Trade Policy Hub and Milieu Consulting, commissioned by the Secretariat of the European Free Trade Association. This Sustainability Impact Assessment explores the potential impacts of the proposed FTA between the EFTA States and Thailand. We are grateful to all stakeholders who fed into this important study!
The report employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling, to analyse economic, social (and labour) and human rights, and environmental and climate implications.
Key findings include:
- Economic Growth: The FTA is projected to enhance trade in goods, services, and foreign direct investment for both EFTA States and Thailand. Thailand stands to benefit significantly with improved export and import flows, alongside advancements in its services and business sectors.
- Innovation and IPR Protection: Enhanced intellectual property rights protections will encourage innovation and support global integration.
However, the report also highlights important issues to be addressed by the parties:
- Environmental Sustainability: The potential for increased CO2 emissions and risks to biodiversity and labour rights, particularly in Thailand’s agricultural and fisheries sectors, must be addressed.
- Social Impact: Strong sustainability standards are essential to protect vulnerable groups, including migrant workers, and to ensure fair working conditions.
The SIA concludes that while the EFTA-Thailand FTA presents considerable economic opportunities, it also necessitates action on social (and labour) and environmental impacts. Continuous monitoring and robust trade and sustainable development provisions will be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of this agreement are equitably shared and any adverse effects minimised.
We're very happy to have collaborated with Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, PhD, Andreas Freytag, Dr Matthias Bauer, Philipp Lamprecht, Tony Zamparutti, Pietro Freguglia, Nattapan Kongbuamai, Margaux Truc, Robin Baker, and the entire EFTA Secretariat team.
We are thrilled to announce the completion of a study on Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA) and its impact on SMEs in the European economy, conducted for the European Commission, DGGROW, led by CSIL Milan and in partnership with IDEA Consult and PPMI.
This study analysed the implications of OSA for SMEs, the extent and manner in which SMEs are involved in strategic industries and technologies, and how their involvement could be improved to secure the success of the OSA goals.
Key highlights include:
- Identification of potential risks and opportunities for SMEs under the OSA framework across the different industrial ecosystems.
- Mapping policy measures in Member States, the EU and extra EU countries that support OSA and SMEs specifically.
- Providing policy advice to strengthen the participation of European SMEs in strategic industries and technologies, considering SMEs’ important role in driving innovation and developing high-value products, services and technologies, boosting domestic production, diversifying supply sources, and enhancing export activities.
The results of this study have been incorporated into the newly published Annual Report on European SMEs 2023/2024.
Get in touch if you want to know more or discuss the study’s findings.
Past events
Panel 407: Roundtable | Trade-Sustainability-Security: the New Impossible Trinity?
Date: 5 September 2023
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
More about the event.
Panel 307: Trade Policy Trajectories: Frenemies, Rivalries and Races in the EU and beyond
Date: 4 September 2023
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
More about the event.
Date: 14 March 2023
Time: 8:00am - 9:30am
Location: British Embassy Tokyo, Japan
This breakfast roundtable was organised by the British Embassy in Tokyo and the Trade Policy Hub. The roundtable is part of TPH’s work for the Embassy to review the business utilisation of the UK-Japan trade agreement (CEPA). The project aims to identify problems, including duties or customs administrative issues, and provide input towards future engagement with the Japanese regulators.
The roundtable aimed to encourage engagement with the UK government on UK-Japan relations, engagement with other companies operating in Japan, as well contribute to strengthening UK-Japan bilateral ties. The government will strongly consider the outcomes of the roundtable as they plan how best to support companies.
This virtual roundtable on 8 June 2022 was organised to discuss new trends in implementation and enforcement in trade and sustainable development provisions in the European Union and beyond.
More about the event.
This exceptional discussion with leading experts María C. Latorre, Elitsa Garnizova, and Vanika Sharma aimed to dive into the potential impact of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and how the EU and Mercosur can use the agreement to strengthen their relationship.
More about the event.
