{"title":"Global Trade Turmoil","authors":"M. Razzaque, Syed Mortuza Ehsan","doi":"10.14217/af1e7fea-en","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14217/af1e7fea-en","url":null,"abstract":"This paper provides a rapid assessment of several major emerging trends in international trade with the objective of better appreciating their implications for the world's poorest, smallest and most vulnerable economies, such as least developed countries (LDCs), small states and sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis highlights that, although the tariff war involving China and the USA draws intense focus, world trade is also experiencing structural changes, complicating the situation further. In the decade since the global financial crisis of 2008, LDCs, small states and sub-Saharan Africa country groups combined trade have hardly expanded. Furthermore, the recent slowdown in international trading activities has reinforced the marginalisation of these groups of economies in global trade. In drawing policy implications, this paper argues that attaching less importance to trade is not an option for LDCs, small states and sub-Saharan Africa. Rather, these countries should remain focused on exploring trading opportunities, developing trade capacities and strengthening trade multilateralism.","PeriodicalId":363457,"journal":{"name":"International Trade Working Paper","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128714825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Graduating from LDC Status","authors":"V. Ancharaz","doi":"10.14217/B2DF5803-EN","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14217/B2DF5803-EN","url":null,"abstract":"The withdrawal of international support measures raises sustainability concerns among countries graduating from the category of least developed countries (LDCs). Despite care taken to ensure a smooth transition, these concerns are rife, especially for small island developing states (SIDS). Of the 16 LDCs slated to graduate by 2024, 6 are SIDS. SIDS' calls for additional special and differential treatment tailored to their unique vulnerabilities have yielded few wins. At the World Trade Organization (WTO) level, SIDS are not formally recognised as a distinct category; hence, their claim for special treatment will remain contentious – even amid proposals for reform of WTO rules to better serve the neediest. This paper argues that it matters little whether or not graduating SIDS receive additional support beyond smooth transition – for various reasons, including the fact that several fall-back options for LDCs are available.","PeriodicalId":363457,"journal":{"name":"International Trade Working Paper","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125414165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}