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 cover

TradeWatch Global Insights 

The latest issue of TradeWatch outlines key legislative and administrative developments for customs and international trade, featuring insights and tax alerts from our network of global trade professionals around the world. A special chapter on sustainability closes this edition.

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 3:

  • Harmonized System review cycle extended to 2028
  • How disruption is shaping opportunities for global trade
  • How trade functions are transforming the ‘new normal’

Download Global Insights chapter 

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Tradewatch Americas Insight

TradeWatch Americas Insights 

Under our Americas chapter, focus is on:

  • The LATAM advantage: A look at the region’s thriving Free Trade Zones
  • Brazil: A step toward continuous improvement with enhancement of the AEO program
  • Colombia: Crypto assets cannot be used as a means of payment for foreign trade operations

Download Americas chapter

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Tradewatch Asia Pacific

TradeWatch Asia-Pacific Insights

The Asia-Pacific chapter features articles on:

  • The interplay between transfer pricing and customs valuation in Asia-Pacific;
  • Japan’s new definition of Importer of Record;
  • Vietnam’s draft proposal to abolish some on-the-spot export-import transactions;
  • Also in Vietnam, trends in customs valuation for imported goods

Download Asia-Pacific chapter

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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: proposed customs reform — a modern approach to e-commerce
  • UAE: navigating the GCC Common Customs Law — complying with the new tax landscape
  • UK: an overview of the Electronic Trade Documents Act
  • Update on the UK-EU Windsor Framework

Download EMEIA chapter

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Tradewatch sustainablility

Sustainability

In this edition of TradeWatch, we highlight some key sustainability topics and issues impacting the trade function, including:

  • How tax departments should prepare for CBAM
  • The role of customs and trade functions in the ESG era
  • Australia considers CBAM to address carbon leakage
  • EU: CBAM in force
  • EU: Commission and Council take steps as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan with new rules on textiles and batteries
  • UK: reducing waste
  • US: Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in action - updated guidance and trends

Download Sustainability and ESG Chapter

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Electric car parked for charging

TradeFlash October 2023

This edition has a roundup of the latest developments in global trade around the world.

Global Trade trends — including trade disruption, customs valuation, transfer pricing, and the interplay between trade policy and the ESG agenda — will continue to influence the trade policies of governments and the trade strategies of corporations into 2024 and beyond.

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Previous TradeWatch and TradeFlash editions

TradeWatch 2, 2023

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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 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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