Global trade

Trade forms the backbone of the world’s economies, spurring investment, job creation, economic growth, and raising standards of living.

Global trade is being increasingly disrupted as tariff tensions, political unpredictability, protectionist policies and regulatory uncertainty challenge established business models and trade relationships.

The resulting inefficiencies were challenging when the trade environment was stable. But in our increasingly volatile times with COVID-19, Brexit as well as trade and political tensions at both local and global levels, the stakes are far higher.

Now should be a breakthrough era for international trade, as technological advances are making new forms of business possible, built on a foundation of data and insight. EY professionals can help you build an integrated approach by:
 

  • Shaping responses to changing global tariffs and trading relationships
  • Reducing cost, risk and delays from your trade network
  • Driving better insights through data
  • Reimagining your supply chain operating model
  • Leveraging technologies

EY Global Trade Updates

Tradewatch global Insight

TradeWatch Global Insights 

The Global Insights section of our latest TradeWatch publication covers a wide range of trade topics and developments from around the world. On the agenda of this Issue 2:

  • Refocusing on the global trade functional organization — a global trade perspective
  • ‘Future-proofing’ the customs and trade function

Download Global Insights chapter 

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Tradewatch Americas Insight

TradeWatch Americas Insights 

Under our Americas chapter, focus is on:

  • Canada: Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Release 2 update
  • Latin America: maximizing the benefits of nearshoring — a practical guide to Latin America’s FTAs
  • US: Section 301 update

Download Americas chapter

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Tradewatch Asia Pacific

TradeWatch Asia-Pacific Insights

The Asia-Pacific chapter features an article on Australia’s and New Zealand’s Landmark free trade agreements with the UK.

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TradeWatch EMEIA Insights

TradeWatch EMEIA Insights

Under the EMEIA chapter, authors discuss the impact on business of some key topics, including:

  • EU: Customs legislation reform
  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: growing network of special economic zones
  • South Africa: between importers and clearing agents, who is responsible for customs compliance?
  • UK: EY report on TradeTech and the digitalization of trade

Download EMEIA chapter

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Tradewatch sustainablility

Sustainability and ESG Insights

The impact of sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies on trade is another key trend that we continue to explore. In this edition, we focus on:

  • EU: final regulations published for new carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) and Emission Trading System (ETS) revisions;
  • UK: CBAM developments;
  • The implications of an EU regulation aimed at minimizing deforestation risks associated with products that are placed on or exported from the EU market; and
  • EU: Fight against global deforestation.

Download Sustainability and ESG Chapter

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Container ship sailing in sea

Refocusing on the global trade functional organization

As a result of multiple years of trade disruption and geopolitical tensions, companies are recalibrating, refocusing and re-establishing their interest in their global trade function’s organizational design. Consequently, as a “new norm” is established, clients have been raising topics, such as:

  • Where should global trade sit within the company?
  • What should be the scope of the global trade function?
  • Should operational activities be separated from advisory and compliance activities?
  • Should export be owned by legal?

These are a few of the key questions our EY tax professionals have contemplated with global trade executives and agree should be further examined.

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Previous TradeWatch and TradeFlash editions

TradeFlash June 2023

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TradeWatch 1, 2023

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TradeWatch 3, 2022

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TradeWatch 2, 2022

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TradeFlash July 2022

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TradeFlash Feb, 2023

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Podcast : Gender gap in international trade

In this episode, we explore the scale of the gender problem and leading practice deployed to help make a breakthrough.

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