- Exports of intermediate goods sustain gains in Q1 of 2021 after rebound from pandemic
- DDG Paugam highlights role of trade in global action on plastic
- The export of computer services in 2020 increased by double digits in many countries
- WTO panel issues report regarding US safeguards on imported photovoltaic cells from China
Exports of intermediate goods sustain gains in Q1 of 2021 after rebound from pandemic[1]
World exports of intermediate goods, such as parts and components, rose by 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021 according to WTO report. The increase sustains the upward trend in intermediate goods exports following the sharp decline in the second quarter of 2020 when the global spread of the COVID-19 crisis was in its early stages.
Exports of intermediate goods by region, 2019Q1-2021Q1
Asia recorded the highest growth in exports of intermediate goods in the first quarter (28%) due to a 41% increase in Chinese exports of industrial intermediate goods, mainly parts for information communication technology equipment and photovoltaic cells.
The most resilient supply chains in the first quarter were for ores, precious stones and rare earths, with exports increasing by 43% in the first quarter, and for food and beverages (up 22%). In contrast, exports of transport parts and accessories posted the weakest recovery at 6% following steep declines in 2020 as the pandemic affected both demand for and production of automotives.
The first quarter information note on trade in intermediate goods is available here https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/miwi_e/info_note_2021q1_e.pdf.
DDG Paugam highlights role of trade in global action on plastic[2]
Trade has an important role to play in addressing global challenges posed by plastics, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam said at the opening of the Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution on 1 September. The Environment ministries of Germany, Ghana, Ecuador, and Viet Nam are convening the high-level meeting on the WTO’s premises in preparation for the 5th UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) next year.
“There is a growing recognition that the way we produce, consume, and dispose of plastics causes significant damage to our environment and to our health,” DDG Paugam said. “Back in November last year a group of WTO members launched an Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (IDP). Since this launch, discussions on the topic have more than quadrupled at the WTO, seeking to identify key opportunities for enhanced trade cooperation to support domestic, regional, and global efforts against plastic pollution,” he said.
“The role that trade policy may have in fighting plastic pollution is becoming better understood. There are specific tools that trade policymakers may want to leverage to contribute to achieving global goals on plastics,” DDG Paugam said, noting for instance lowering trade barriers to environmental goods and services for plastics circularity, establishing standards and regulations needed to ensure recyclability and compostability of plastics, facilitating and building capacity for environmentally sustainable reverse supply chains, as well as exploring economic drivers of environmentally sustainable plastics and alternatives.
The ministerial conference combines in-person and virtual participation in the informal consultations in the lead up to the second part of the 5th UNEA in February 2022, where governments will consider negotiations on a new global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
The export of computer services in 2020 increased by double digits in many countries[3]
Exports of computer services saw double-digit growth in many economies across various regions in 2020. Rapid growth was recorded in most economies, in marked contrast with declines in other services sectors. Computer services, the fastest growing services sector over the past 10 years, grew by 8 percent in 2020, boosted by a shift towards remote working and increased digitalization. US exports of computer software increased by 13 percent in 2020, mostly destined for the EU (22 percent), Canada (12.6 percent), Japan (10.9 percent), the UK (9.1 percent) and Switzerland (6 percent). US exports of cloud computing and data storage services rose by 25 per cent in 2020, accounting for 16.8 per cent of US computer services exports, up from 7.8 per cent in 2015.
WTO panel issues report regarding US safeguards on imported photovoltaic cells from China[4]
On 2 September 2021 the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in “United States — Safeguard Measure on Imports of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products” (DS562).
The Panel finds that China has failed to demonstrate that the United States acted inconsistently.
For reference:
On 14 August 2018, China requested consultations with the United States concerning the definitive safeguard measure imposed by the United States on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products.
The panel report can be found by the link below: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/562r_e.pdf
[1] https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/miwi_02sep21_e.htm
[2] https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/ppesp_01sep21_e.htm
[3] https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/wts2021_e/wts2021_e.pdf
[4] https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/562r_e.htm