Rappler's latest stories on trades
8 contenders battle for WTO leadership
Candidates from Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, South Korea, Britain, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya are vying to be the next director-general of the World Trade Organization
North American trade pact takes effect in pandemic-ravaged world
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replaces the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement at a time when the world is suffering from the coronavirus pandemic
Tourism faces minimum $1.2-trillion hit from virus – U.N.
The world's tourism sector could lose $1.2 trillion due to the coronavirus pandemic – but that's not yet the worst-case scenario
Palace says DTI or DepEd should issue film production guidelines – not FDCP
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque himself points out that the FDCP has no regulatory powers
Africa free-trade vision clouded by virus and pace of talks
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement is supposed to take operational effect on Wednesday, July 1, but the coronavirus pandemic and slow negotiations hamper the deal
EU trade chief Hogan drops out of WTO race
European Union Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan says he will instead focus on challenges confronting the EU
U.S. considering new taxes on $3.1 billion in European products
The United States lists products from France, Germany, Spain, or Britain, ranging from olives to decaffeinated coffee, as possibly subject to the new tariffs
South Korea trade minister runs for WTO top job
South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee is the 5th candidate officially in the race to replace World Trade Organization Director-General Robert Azevedo
Global trade set to shrink 18.5% in Q2 2020 – WTO
The World Trade Organization expects a 'historically large' fall in trade, but says 'it could have been much worse'
China to join U.N. arms trade treaty, 'enhance' world peace
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says China, now the 2nd largest arms producer in the world, will make a 'continuous effort to maintain and enhance peace and stability in the world and region'
PH again lands on global top 10 worst countries for workers
'In the Philippines, union members are particularly at risk of violence, intimidation and murder,' says the International Trade union Confederation
DENR places Clark, Subic under tight watch for illegal wildlife trade
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources says the strategic locations of the two freeport zones 'make them irresistible to smugglers attempting to transport wildlife poached from other countries and parts of the Philippines'
Virus crisis torpedoes foreign investment – U.N.
The United Nations expects a 40% drop in global foreign direct investment in 2020
U.S.-China trade deal 'impacted' by coronavirus
Chinese official Zhu Guangyao acknowledges that the current status of the US-China relationship is 'very unsatisfactory,' but 'both sides should work together'
Stalemate after 4th round of post-Brexit talks
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier reports 'no significant progress this week,' accusing London of backtracking on divorce terms agreed in 2019
U.S. faces unemployment crisis amid record trade drop
(UPDATED) Data show more than 42 million workers in the United States have lost their jobs since mid-March 2020. The country's trade deficit also jumps to $49.5 billion.
China says U.S. trade sanctions on Hong Kong violate WTO rules
'If the United States disregards the fundamental principles of international relations and adopts unilateral measures according to its domestic laws, it will violate WTO rules,' says the Chinese commerce ministry
PM is not the key: DTI tells online sellers to post prices
Online vendors must display prices instead of telling their customers to send private messages first, says the Department of Trade and Industry
'It's time': Egyptian urges WTO to pick African as new chief
Hamid Mamdouh, a candidate for World Trade Organization director-general, says African countries are determined to take the reins of the global body for the first time
Salons may reopen soon, but health measures must be in place
Barbershop and salon employees show that they can safely cut hair by wearing protective wear. The government, however, is still assessing the risks.
DTI to study partial reopening of restaurants for dine-in
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says they will first check if restaurants can apply health protocols to ensure the safety of diners
WTO to open nominations for next director on June 8
The surprise resignation of Roberto Azevedo leaves World Trade Organization members with less than 3 months to appoint his successor, a process which usually takes 9 months
China trade growth 'unsustainable' if virus not controlled – minister
To drive economic growth, China will 'rapidly activate domestic demand' to make up for weakness in the international markets
Australia threatens WTO action as dispute with China deepens
(UPDATED) Australia is considering going to the World Trade Organization, but says there is 'no trade war' with China
China to levy 80.5% in tariffs on Australian barley
China says it investigated Australian grain exports, and found that Australian subsidies and dumping 'substantially damaged domestic industry'
U.S. Senate panel head steps down amid virus insider-trading probe
Burr is under investigation over whether he used his access to highly classified intelligence to sell stocks in February – before the coronavirus pandemic struck the US
G20 vows to avoid 'unnecessary' trade barriers
G20 trade and investment ministers say export restrictions on vital medical supplies and other essential goods, if necessary, must be 'proportionate, transparent, temporary'
WTO chief to step down early as global economic crisis rages
World Trade Organization Director-General Roberto Azevedo says his resignation, effective August 31, is a 'personal decision' reached with his family
Fitch Ratings enters China's credit market
The People's Bank of China says Fitch Bohua will be able to conduct ratings in China's interbank bond market, marking a further step in opening the industry
China exempts more U.S. goods from tariffs as virus hits economy
The list of goods includes medical disinfectant, rare-earth metal ores, and some silicon wafers used in the electronics industry
China cuts Australian beef imports after warning against virus probe
(UPDATED) Tensions between China and Australia continue to rise after the latter called for an independent investigation into the origin of the coronavirus outbreak
EU, Britain restart push on post-Brexit ties amid virus gloom
The EU side accuses Britain of focusing only on issues dear to them and ignoring those essential for EU members, such as fishing, or on agreeing on minimum standards for health and the environment
China, U.S. commit to implement trade deal despite virus row
After trading barbs over the origin of the coronavirus, the United States and China agree 'good progress' is being made on their phase one trade deal
Global stocks mostly drop as Trump revives trade war fears
Investors are rattled as the Trump administration steps up its criticism of China over the coronavirus
Over half of MSMEs stopped operations due to coronavirus lockdown
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says almost 53% or about 525,000 out of the total 998,342 MSMEs in the country bear the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic
Crude crash brings down Singapore oil tycoon
Singapore tycoon OK Lim admits his firm Hin Leong Trading had hidden $800 million in losses over the years, while it also owes almost $4 billion to banks
[OPINION] Global food security crisis not merely a ‘logistics’ issue
'The right to food and a nation’s capacity to produce domestic food should not be decided by market forces'
[ANALYSIS] COVID-19 exposes dangers of wildlife trade, fragility of global food system
The silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis is the opportunity it spells for food sovereignty
IMF, WTO warn against export controls on medical supplies, food
Disruptions to supply chains and misdirection of critical products could 'prolong and exacerbate the health and economic crisis'
U.N. urges global debt deal to prevent 'disaster' in poorer countries
The United Nations says around $1 trillion of debt owed by the hardest-hit developing countries should be forgiven
Global trade will plunge by up to 32% in 2020 – WTO
(UPDATED) The World Trade Organization warns this 'may well be the deepest economic recession or downturn of our lifetimes'
DTI sets 30-day grace period for residential, commercial rent
Lessors found guilty of refusing to provide the 30-day grace period face imprisonment of not less than two months or a fine of not less than P10,000, or both
FAST FACTS: SEA Games 2019 venues convert into quarantine centers
From hosting the 2019 SEA Games, these venues will be used to test and treat coronavirus-positive patients in the Philippines
World faces food crisis in wake of coronavirus – U.N., WHO, WTO
Over the longer term confinement orders and travel restrictions risk causing disruptions in agricultural production due to the unavailability of agricultural labor and the inability to get food to markets
COA affirms disallowance of P4.54-M benefits for Tidcorp board's ex-officio members
COA says Monetary Board member Peter Favila and former MB member Armando Suratos are not entitled to the allowances and benefits they got from 2005 to 2010 as ex-officio members of the Trade and Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines
'Heartbreak' as UK garden sector faces virus 'wipeout'
The Horticultural Trades Association is asking the British government for financial aid of up to £250 million ($309 million) to avoid collapse
U.N. urges $2.5 trillion in pandemic aid to developing nations
A UN report notes that the two-thirds of the global population who live in developing countries (excluding China) face 'unprecedented economic damage' from the crisis
Pandemic will cut global investment flows more than feared – U.N.
'It is now evident that pandemic mitigation efforts and lockdowns around the world will have devastating effects on all economies,' say United Nations economists
Meat shortage looms in April if checkpoint issues persist
The Philippine Association of Meat Processors says checkpoints should allow vehicles transporting raw materials to pass through
DTI orders groceries to limit number of shoppers
The Department of Trade and Industry says there should only be one person for every square meter of free space in a store to reduce the risk of getting the novel coronavirus
