PTPolicyTraderThe policy behind the trade.
Trade policy, commodities, and sustainability across the Indo-Pacific
Doc India·In·
The first round of India-Maldives FTA negotiations has concluded. The talks mark a formal launch of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations between the two countries. No further details on specific outcomes are available from the snippet.
Wto·Int·
South Africa notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards on 14 July 2026 of a safeguard investigation initiated on 10 July 2026 covering certain cold-rolled iron and steel products imported into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The notification follows standard WTO transparency requirements for safeguard proceedings.
Wto·Int·
WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala urged members to advance both institutional reform and outstanding negotiations simultaneously at the July 14-15 General Council meeting. Members adopted several decisions in favor of developing and least-developed countries following MC14. The DG framed reform and negotiations as two sides of the same coin requiring parallel progress.
Dgft·In·
India’s DGFT has amended Para 2.92 and Appendix-2A of the Handbook of Procedure 2023 to incorporate Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The amendments update procedural guidelines governing preferential trade under the bilateral CEPA.
Dgft·In·
India’s DGFT has inserted a new paragraph (2.50A) into the Handbook of Procedure 2023, amending the procedural framework governing foreign trade. The specific content of the amendment is not visible in the snippet, but procedural changes to India’s trade handbook typically affect export/import licensing, customs, or market access procedures.
Dgft·In·
India’s DGFT has amended the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 by inserting Paragraphs 2.20B and 11.64, which prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labour. The notification formally embeds this restriction into India’s trade regulatory framework. This aligns India with international trade norms on forced labour supply chain due diligence.
Dgft·In·
India’s DGFT announces that electronic filing and issuance of Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will be operational from July 15, 2026. This enables exporters to obtain preferential tariff treatment under the FTA through the electronic CoO system. The notice marks a key implementation step for the […]
Dtic·Za·
South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition led a government delegation to a public hearing in Washington DC on 9 July 2026, hosted by USTR, concerning Section 301 investigations into forced labour practices across 60 economies. The hearing examines acts, policies, and practices related to failure to impose and effectively enforce measures against forced […]
Wto·Int·
The WTO TBT Committee met July 7-10, 2026, addressing standards for critical/emerging technologies, climate-resilient buildings, and lithium-ion batteries. The Committee adopted improvements to transparency procedures and digital notification tools. Members also reviewed 70 specific trade concerns.
Wto·Int·
WTO Secretariat analysis shows urea and phosphate fertilizer trade severely disrupted by conflict in the Persian Gulf, with African and Asian economies most vulnerable to shortages and price hikes. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key fertilizer trade route, is cited as a major factor. Reopening the strait is identified as necessary to […]