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 Insights
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 2:
- Refocusing on the global trade functional organization — a global trade perspective
- ‘Future-proofing’ the customs and trade function
TradeWatch Americas Insights
Under our Americas chapter, focus is on:
- Canada: Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Release 2 update
- Latin America: maximizing the benefits of nearshoring — a practical guide to Latin America’s FTAs
- US: Section 301 update
TradeWatch Asia-Pacific Insights
The Asia-Pacific chapter features an article on Australia’s and New Zealand’s Landmark free trade agreements with the UK.
TradeWatch EMEIA Insights
Under the EMEIA chapter, authors discuss the impact on business of some key topics, including:
- EU: Customs legislation reform
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: growing network of special economic zones
- South Africa: between importers and clearing agents, who is responsible for customs compliance?
- UK: EY report on TradeTech and the digitalization of trade
Sustainability and ESG Insights
The impact of sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies on trade is another key trend that we continue to explore. In this edition, we focus on:
- EU: final regulations published for new carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) and Emission Trading System (ETS) revisions;
- UK: CBAM developments;
- The implications of an EU regulation aimed at minimizing deforestation risks associated with products that are placed on or exported from the EU market; and
- EU: Fight against global deforestation.
Refocusing on the global trade functional organization
As a result of multiple years of trade disruption and geopolitical tensions, companies are recalibrating, refocusing and re-establishing their interest in their global trade function’s organizational design. Consequently, as a “new norm” is established, clients have been raising topics, such as:
- Where should global trade sit within the company?
- What should be the scope of the global trade function?
- Should operational activities be separated from advisory and compliance activities?
- Should export be owned by legal?
These are a few of the key questions our EY tax professionals have contemplated with global trade executives and agree should be further examined.
Previous TradeWatch and TradeFlash editions
TradeFlash June 2023
TradeWatch 1, 2023
TradeWatch 3, 2022
TradeFlash July 2022
TradeConnect
How can you spend less time on tactical/transactional activities and more on strategic and focused activities that create value? One way is to turn to EY Trade Connect — a modular technology platform that links EY clients to a broad spectrum of managed services that can adapt and evolve with the changing needs of the business.
Read more about our global trade operation services
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