PTPolicyTraderThe policy behind the trade.
Trade policy, commodities, and sustainability across the Indo-Pacific
Motir·Kr·
The EU has launched a global safeguard investigation on imported hybrid automobiles. This measure could affect Asia-Pacific exporters, particularly major hybrid vehicle producers in Japan and South Korea. The investigation may lead to tariff-based safeguard measures if imports are found to cause serious injury to EU domestic industry.
Seco·Ch·
Swiss President Guy Parmelin met Chinese President Xi Jinping on 30 October, resulting in the signing of an upgraded bilateral free trade agreement alongside agreements on labour cooperation and research and development. The optimised FTA represents a substantive expansion of the existing Switzerland-China trade relationship.
Wto·Int·
At the October 30, 2026 WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) meeting, the Chair expressed serious concern over persistently low member compliance with subsidy notification requirements. The Chair emphasized that timely notifications are a legal obligation under the SCM Agreement and are increasingly central to WTO reform discussions. Transparency in subsidies reporting was […]
Dg Trade·Eu·
The European Commission imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Spunbond from China. This trade remedy measure targets dumped imports entering the EU market.
Dg Trade·Eu·
The EU and Canada concluded negotiations on a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) at the EU-Canada Leaders’ Summit in Montreal. This is a standalone digital trade agreement covering cross-border digital commerce between the two parties.
Pid·Pk·
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue reaffirmed its commitment to Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA), clarifying that the system is a digital customs processing reform rather than a port-relocation measure. FBR emphasized the FCA’s role in reducing human intervention in customs clearance decisions. The statement addresses misconceptions about the system’s implementation scope.
Mdic·Br·
In the first five months of implementation (May–September 2026), the Mercosur-EU trade agreement has driven significant export growth for Brazilian products benefiting from reduced or zero import tariffs. Key products showing gains include electrical transformers, honey, fresh avocados, and corn oil. Year-on-year comparisons with the same period in 2025 show increases of up to 421%.
Kemendag·Indonesia·
Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has set the export benchmark price (HPE) for gold at USD 132,756.02/kg for the first half of November 2026, down 1.68% from the second period of October 2026. The reference price (HR) for gold also fell to USD 4,129.18 per troy ounce from USD 4,199.73. These prices are established by ministerial […]
Mofcom·Cn·
Four Chinese ministries (MOFCOM, NDRC, MEE, and General Administration of Customs) jointly issued a notice to further advance trade liberalization and facilitation measures in the Hainan Free Trade Port. The notice likely covers customs procedures, tariff arrangements, and market access measures specific to the FTP zone. No full text is available in the snippet.
Motir·Kr·
South Korea’s trade/industry ministry is conditionally easing restrictions on diesel exports, provided domestic supply is not disrupted. The measure introduces conditional criteria under which diesel export limits will be partially lifted. This represents a specific policy change to existing export control measures on a key commodity.