On the margins of the OECD Trade Committee, the US and 14 economies signed a joint ministerial statement to address structural excess capacity and production in key manufacturing sectors. The initiative launches multilateral work on non-market practices contributing to global overcapacity. This is a named plurilateral policy outcome with direct trade remedy and market access […]
Thailand’s Deputy PM and Commerce Minister led the 10th ASEAN–Hong Kong Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, where ASEAN and Hong Kong signed an upgraded investment agreement. Thailand served as ASEAN coordinator and co-chair for negotiations with Hong Kong, advancing concrete trade and investment cooperation outcomes.
The 10th round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations was held in Phuket from September 28 to October 6, 2026. Significant progress was made on text chapters, with remaining issues focused on market access and policy-level matters. Both sides aim to conclude negotiations by end of 2026.
Sri Lanka’s Department of Commerce convened a stakeholder meeting on 24 September 2026 to assess readiness for the EU’s draft regulation on Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food, set to take effect 1 January 2027. The meeting gathered government agencies, research institutions, chambers of commerce, and food testing laboratories to identify gaps in testing […]
The article outlines new Halal certification regulations in Indonesia that Vietnamese businesses must comply with to access the Indonesian market. It covers mandatory Halal labeling and certification requirements affecting food and consumer product exports. These represent non-tariff market access conditions relevant to Vietnamese exporters targeting Indonesia.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Circular 65/2026/TT-BCT governing rice export business operations. The circular introduces new regulations on rice export quota allocation. Specific provisions cover licensing and conditions for enterprises engaged in rice exports.
The WTO Council for Trade in Services and Committee on Trade in Financial Services met October 7-9, 2026, discussing transparency of measures on recognition of foreign service suppliers’ qualifications, digital payment facilitation, and reducing remittance costs. Members also addressed ways to reinvigorate the Council’s work and support least-developed countries in services trade.
The WTO Committee on Rules of Origin met on 7-8 October to review preferential rules of origin for LDCs, receiving updates from preference-granting members on origin administration and trade facilitation. Members examined non-preferential rules of origin notifications and discussed digital tools for improving transparency and compliance. The committee also considered draft annual reports on its […]
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced a temporary suspension on imports of live poultry and poultry meat from the United Kingdom, likely in response to an avian influenza outbreak. This is a specific SPS-based import restriction affecting market access for UK poultry products.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced implementation of measures under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act in response to the situation in Ukraine. These measures likely include export controls or sanctions-related trade restrictions. The action falls under Japan’s broader framework of economic countermeasures aligned with international responses to the conflict.