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Export-led industrialization is crucial for economic growth, emphasizing the shift from primary production to manufacturing. Malawi aims for industrialization through its National Export Strategy (NES), focusing on oilseed and sugarcane products and manufacturing. However, research gaps exist on export promotion programs' impact, especially in less developed countries like Malawi and specific sectors like plastics and packaging. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methods for robust analysis. All 13 firms in Malawi's plastics and packaging industry were surveyed in Blantyre and Lilongwe to assess the impact of the National Export Strategy (NES). A questionnaire with 37 questions across six sections, adapted from prior research, was used to gather comprehensive data on various aspects such as employment, production, and investment. Ethical clearance was obtained, and completed questionnaires underwent thorough review before data analysis. Results are presented in subsequent sections. The impact of Malawi's National Export Strategy (NES) on its plastics and packaging industry highlights vital challenges. Employment suffers from a lack of skilled labor, stemming from a mismatch with training institutions. Firms struggle with limited access to finance and high borrowing costs, hindering investment. High taxes and duties hamper export competitiveness, while unreliable energy supply increases operational costs. Additionally, transportation expenses impede raw material imports, exports, and local distribution. These findings underscore the need to address skill mismatches, enhance financial access, reduce trade barriers, and improve infrastructure to bolster the industry's resilience and competitiveness under the NES. Policy implications include collaborating with financial institutions to enhance access to grants and affordable credit, imposing higher import taxes on finished products to protect local producers, improving energy supply, enhancing transportation infrastructure, introducing incentives for investment in support services, raising awareness of NES benefits, and establishing industry-specific meetings to address sector-specific issues. These measures aim to bolster the plastics and packaging industry's competitiveness and support its growth under the NES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the tensions and complexities that arose between the United States and the United Kingdom after World War II. The British Labour Party's victory in the 1945 general election, with its promises of nationalization and social welfare programs, caused concern among U.S. conservatives. The United States provided financial aid to the UK, but this aid came with conditions that influenced the shape of the British welfare state. The negotiations for a loan between John Maynard Keynes and the United States government were influenced by the Labour government's domestic policies. The loan was approved, but the conditions proved challenging for the British government. The article also discusses the impact of U.S. tobacco imports on the UK's economy and social welfare system, as well as the relationship between U.S. economic aid and the development of social welfare policies in Western Europe. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines how trade policy shocks impact firm innovation indirectly through information sharing across firms. Using a unique dataset of Chinese firms between 2000 and 2013, we identify connections between firms by exploiting spillover effects of antidumping. Empirical results show that antidumping has negative spillover effects on firm innovation through information exchanges across firms in market or product networks. Trade restrictions on extensive and intensive margins work as important channels through which the networks impact firm innovation. Our findings provide new empirical evidence on indirect effects of antidumping on firm innovation and better understanding on channels of trade policy shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Finnish Supreme Court's decision on whether refilling and relabeling carbon dioxide cylinders misled consumers about an economic link between the original and new sellers. Topics include the assessment of consumer perception regarding economic connections, the impact of labeling practices on brand integrity, and the legal considerations of trade mark exhaustion and infringement.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a global tick-borne disease of equids caused by the intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, and the more recently discovered Theileria haneyi. These parasites can be transmitted by several tick species, including Dermacentor, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, but iatrogenic and vertical transmission are also common. Clinical signs of EP include poor performance, fever, icterus, abortions, among others, and peracute or acute forms of infection are associated with high mortality in non-endemic areas. EP is a reportable disease and represents an important barrier for the international trade of horses and other equids, causing disruption of international equine sports. Tick control measures, serological and molecular diagnostic methods, and parasiticidal drugs are currently used against EP, while vaccines remain unavailable. Since most acaricides used in equids are non-environmentally friendly and linked to drug resistances, this is considered as an unsustainable approach. Imidocarb dipropionate (ID) and buparvaquone (BPQ) are currently the main drugs used to control the disease. However, while ID has several side and toxic effects and recurrent failures of treatment have been reported, BPQ is less effective in the clearance of T. equi infection and not available in some countries. Thus, novel alternative and effective therapeutics are needed. While current trade regulations require testing equids for EP before exportation, the lack of standardized PCR tests and limitations of the currently recommended serological assays entail a risk of inaccurate diagnosis. Hereby, we propose a combination of standardized PCR-based techniques and improved serological tests to diminish the risks of exporting EP-infected animals making equid international trade safer. In addition, this review discusses, based on scientific evidence, several idiosyncrasies, pitfalls and myths associated with EP, and identifies weaknesses of current methods of control and gaps of research, as initial steps toward developing novel strategies leading to control this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobulid species are endangered globally, and the market trade for gill plates is believed to be a major threat. Successful conservation and the sustainable use of mobulids therefore require an objective understanding of consumer characteristics and preferences for gill plates. Previous studies focused on qualitative descriptions, and reliable quantitative analyses are currently lacking. We used a latent class choice experiment method and a semistructured questionnaire to provide important new quantitative information about gill plate consumer characteristics and the heterogeneous nature of demand for gill plates. From May to July 2019, we conducted a field study in Guangzhou, the primary consumption hub for mobulid gill plates in mainland China. Utilizing a simple random sampling method, we engaged in face‐to‐face interviews with 428 consumers of gill plates in the major trading markets in Guangzhou. Our results showed that 59.8% of consumers of gill plates were over 40 years old, 62.6% were female, 80.7% had annual household incomes of <200,000 yuan, and 84.5% recognized the medical and health value of gill plates and purchased them. About seventy‐two percent of consumers preferred to purchase imported and less expensive gill plates from unprotected species, but they had a strong preference for large gill plates from protected species, such as Mobula birostris. This contradiction arose from consumers' lack of knowledge of mobulids and their conservation status. We found, for example, female consumers over 40 years old had the least understanding of conservation status of mobulid species and the link between size of gill plates and rarity of mobulids. This suggests there may be opportunities to promote mobulid conservation through education and marketing targeted at this demographic. Consumers who had a positive preference for gill plates from protected species (regardless of price) (10%) may be harder to influence. Overall, we believe education alone is not enough and that the conservation of mobulids would benefit from an integrated approach that involves conservation education and strengthened trade regulations, such as the introduction of traceability systems and a stiffer legal framework for consumption of protected species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a theory of lobbying by firms for trade liberalization, not through political contributions, but instead through contributions to the litigation process at the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this "litigation for sale" model, firms signal information about the strength and value of potential cases and the government selects cases based on firms' signals. Firms play a key role in monitoring and seeking enforcement of international trade law by signaling information and providing a bureaucratic subsidy, which increases a state's ability to pursue the removal of trade barriers and helps explain the high success rate for WTO complainants. The theory's implications are consistent with in-depth interviews with 38 trade experts and are tested through an analysis of WTO dispute initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the transition of workers in the MENA region between formal and informal jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigates whether trade policy could be adopted as a measure to enhance the transition of workers from the informal to the formal sector. We use the combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey constructed by the Economic Research Forum for 5 MENA countries and 11 sectors. This topic is timely and critical for the MENA region where informal employment is widespread, applied tariffs are still high, and female labor participation is low. Our results show that: first, fewer trade restrictions are associated with an increased probability for the worker to become formal and this effect is more pronounced post-pandemic. Second, fewer trade restrictions are linked to an increase in the probability of becoming formal for blue collars only, with an insignificant effect on white collars. Third, fewer trade restrictions are associated with an increase in the probability of men to become formal, with an insignificant effect on women. Finally, the effect of trade policy on job formality depends on the sectoral occupation of the individual with this effect being more pronounced in agriculture and manufacturing relatively to services sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on historical and current potential of using insects as an alternative protein source in animal feeds, driven by declining fishmeal availability and environmental concerns. Topics include the evolution of insect use in feed, the impact of overfishing on fishmeal supply; and the sustainability benefits of insect farming for reducing environmental impact and utilizing organic waste.

This article investigates the effect of shocks to the occupational structure of exporting firms induced by the introduction of technical barriers to trade (TBTs) in importing countries. We rely on specific trade concerns data to identify trade‐restrictive TBT measures, combined with matched employer‐employee data for French exporters over the period 1995–2010, and information on the product‐destinations served by each exporter. Controlling for time‐invariant firm/occupation fixed effects and for time‐varying sector/occupation shocks, the 2SLS estimates show that exporting firms adapt to the imposition of TBTs at destination by increasing the share of managers at the expense of blue collars, white collars and other professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored a Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) approach, developing two distinct models for prioritizing the seven indicators related to the "rapid response to and mitigation of the spread of an epidemic" category within the context of both the specific category and the Global Health Security Index (GHS index). Utilizing data from the 2021 GHS index, the methodology involves rigorous preprocessing, the application of the augmented naive Bayes algorithm for structural learning, and k-fold cross-validation. Key findings show unique perspectives in both BBN models. In the mutual value of information analysis, "linking public health and security authorities" emerged as the key predictor for the "rapid response to and mitigation of the spread of an epidemic" category, while "emergency preparedness and response planning" assumed precedence for the GHS index. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the critical role of "emergency preparedness and response planning" and "linking public health and security authorities" in extreme performance states, with "access to communications infrastructure" and "trade and travel restrictions" exhibiting varied significance. The BBN models exhibit high predictive accuracy, achieving 83.3% and 82.3% accuracy for extreme states in "rapid response to and mitigation of the spread of an epidemic" and the GHS index, respectively. This study contributes to the literature on GHS by modeling the dependencies among various indicators of the rapid response dimension of the GHS index and highlighting their relative importance based on the mutual value of information and sensitivity analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volume of trade between two regions is shaped by the cost of trade, which is a function of infrastructural and political barriers. Governments can invest in the upgrade of their country's logistics infrastructure to mitigate these barriers, decrease trade costs, and increase domestic trade volumes; but they need to decide which infrastructural project(s) to invest under limited budget. A bilevel, bicriteria optimization model is proposed to overcome this challenge. The inner model anticipates total trade flows among all regions of the country with a profit maximization lens of the transporters. The outer model selects the projects based on minimizing total investment costs and maximizing total trade flows. The novelty in this approach is in incorporating the implicit 'trade barriers' through a 'trade cost model' borrowed from the economics literature. The proposed framework is implemented in a case study originating from the Canadian Northern Corridor concept which aims to boost domestic trade between the provinces and the territories of Canada. The numerical study indicates that investments to upgrade and increase connectivity in the logistics infrastructure of western Canada should be prioritized over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies multilevel modelling to the analysis of trade flows. This methodology can complement the use of the standard gravity equation in addressing the influence of geographical distance on the impact of trade agreements on bilateral trade (the natural-partner hypothesis). The analysis suggests that the simplest, most obvious, and best way to nest country pairs with international trade data is by distance. To this end, a sample of 69 countries with data on domestic flows over the period 1986–2016 was used. This sample accounts for around 85% of world trade data. The estimations suggest that the pro-trade effects of preferential trade agreements decrease with distance to trade partners, while this does not occur with the multilateral trading system. What is more interesting is that the former result only holds for the preferential trade agreements involving goods, which supports the natural-trading partner hypothesis, but not for those that include services. In the latter case, the impact increases with distance. This suggests that deeper preferential trade agreements reduce the cost of distance as a barrier to trade, which probably reflects cultural (regulation) distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) between trading partners are known to have positive impact on the expanding and deepening of global value chain integration due to lower trade and investment barriers. Less is known, however, is if other PTAs of PTA partners have any impact on the value‐added trade linkages of the direct PTA partners concerned. Based on compositive indicators measuring the breadth and depth of PTAs from 2007 to 2018 and using Multiregional Input–Output Table database covering 62 countries and 35 sectors and the Content of Deep Trade Agreements database, this paper estimates the multiplicative form of the constant‐elasticity augmented gravity equation model by a Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimator. This study shows that indirect impact of the deepening of trade agreements of a country's PTA partner exerts positive, significant impact on value‐added exports of a country. Both backward and forward linkages of a country measured by various decomposition of valued added exports indicate this indirect channel of value chain deepening effect even outweighs the direct impact from the deepening of PTAs between direct trading partners with significant policy implications in formulating PTA strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) include, among other chapters, ones concerning sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT). Drawing on recent literature highlighting the relationship between "deep" RTAs and the global organisation of production, this paper empirically investigates whether these SPS and TBT provisions affect multinational production in the food, beverages and tobacco industry. To this end, we combine two different databases to estimate, in a panel gravity framework, both the intensive and extensive margins of multinational production. Because the extensive margin of multinational production may be persistent, a dynamic probit specification is used. Our results show that legally enforceable SPS sections in RTAs, in particular, influence multinational production, though with a rather differentiated pattern in terms of intensive and extensive margins; further, the impact changes depending on the country of origin and destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the potential economic impacts in Argentina of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which as of January 2025 will prohibit the export to the European Union of certain raw materials and related products if they involve the use of deforested land. A dynamic computable general equilibrium model is used to simulate the impact of such regulation on the Argentine economy. The results suggest that the potential macroeconomic impacts are limited. As a consequence of the EUDR, between 2025 and 2030, GDP would be reduced by an average of 0.46% with respect to the baseline scenario. However, of greater magnitude is the potential environmental impact. Deforested hectares would be reduced by 6.64% and polluting gas emissions by 0.39%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent outbreaks of monkeypox (Mpox) have occurred in countries outside of Africa, with large numbers of cases spreading rapidly to almost every continent. We aimed to analyze the correlation between the Global Health Security (GHS) Index (categories and indicators) and the Mpox case rate in different regions and globally. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data from Mpox cases from the WHO, and the GHS categories and indicators for detection, prevention, reporting, health system, rapid response, international norms compliance, and risk environment. Outcome measures were the relationship between GHS index (categories and indicators) and Mpox case rate using crude and adjusted non-linear regression models. Results: After performing adjusted analyses, only risk environment and detection and reporting index were associated with Mpox case rates in the 99 countries and the Region of the Americas, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) indicators of the prevention category, risk communication of the rapid response category, the joint external evaluation and performance veterinary services of the norms category, and the infrastructure adequacy of the risk environment category were associated with Mpox case rates in the 99 countries (p<0.05). Laboratory systems strength and quality indicator of the detection and reporting category, and emergency response operation indicator of the response rapid category were associated with Mpox case rates in the countries of the region of the Americas (p<0.05). AMR indicator of the prevention of the emergence category, and the infrastructure adequacy of the risk environment category were associated with Mpox case rates in the countries of the European Region (p<0.05). In the countries of the other regions, only the trade and travel restrictions indicator of the rapid response category was associated with Mpox case rates (p<0.05). Conclusions: Countries, particularly in the Americas region, with high levels of infrastructure adequacy and laboratory system strength and quality as measured by the GHS index are better equipped to detect more Mpox cases. Therefore, they have higher Mpox case detection rates and can successfully respond to Mpox outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine changes in market liquidity when several popular U.S. retail brokers restrict client trading in GameStop stock over a six-day period in early 2021 due to higher clearinghouse deposit requirements. When retail investor participation in a high-attentionstock becomes restricted, trading activity declines and trading venue shifts occur – there is less trading in dark markets and more fragmented trading across U.S. stock exchanges. We also find that when a stock order flow mix becomes comprised of fewer retail investors and a higher concentration of institutional investors, the quoted bid-ask spread widens, and trading cost measures rise significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing demand for statistics to better understand the globalisation that is accelerating due to the removal of barriers in international trade and to technological progress. Key players in globalisation are the multinational enterprise (MNE) groups that have increased in number and complexity and need to be properly represented by macroeconomic and business statistics. To deal with this need, the European Union Member States, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and Eurostat have collaborated to create the EuroGroups Register (EGR). This paper explores the use of web intelligence to improve the accuracy and completeness of the EGR, which makes use of tools for extracting and exploring information from the World Wide Web. Additionally, it presents a methodology to assess the quality of the information retrieved from the web, based on an ex-post comparison with the official information contained in the EGR. The results provide indications about the possibility of using web intelligence tools to support MNE group monitoring and to complete the EGR data in cases where this information is missing. Finally, it dives deeply into the approach to harness Wikipedia as a data source and into the techniques and methodology used to extract data from this source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-energy virtual power plant (MEVPP) with diversified flexible resources can participate in energy market (EM), frequency regulation market (FRM) and carbon trading market (CM) to obtain extra benefits. However, the complicated market environment provokes grant challenges in the bidding strategy of MEVPP that coordinates heterogenous supply-side devices and demand-side users. To the end, this study proposes a multi-objective bidding strategy for MEVPP comprising various energy flows and multi-energy demand response (MDR) in EM, FRM and CM. Results are delivered that: 1) Compared to the only profit-oriented optimization, the profit of comprise solution under the multi-objective declines by 46% but the satisfaction level improves 8%. Relative to the single satisfaction-oriented optimization, a 5.2% satisfaction loss allows for an approximately 103% growth in profit, realizing a win-win result for MEVPP and users. 2) There were negative profits in the pure EM (Case 1) as well as EM and CM (Case3). Compared with positive profit in EM and FRM (Case 2), the profit in coupled EM, FRM and CM (Case 4) increases by 48.9%. Relative to the CO 2 emission in EM and CM, the emission under the proposed strategy mitigates by 9.36%. 3) A carbon base price at 200 CNY/t CO 2 and an emission interval length of 5–10 t are recommended to maintain the low-carbon economic operation for MEVPP. [Display omitted] • A novel multi-energy virtual power plant (MEVPP) comprising heterogeneous energy flows and multi-energy demand response is proposed. • An optimal bidding strategy for the MEVPP in coupled markets is developed. • The proposed strategy outperforms profit-oriented and satisfaction-oriented optimization by achieving a win-win result for both MEVPP and users satisfaction-oriented optimization. • A base price of 200 CNY/t and interval length of 5–10 t are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the U.S. shift towards economic protectionism, termed "friend-shoring," which involves tariffs and trade restrictions aimed at redirecting supply chains from China to benefit the US and its allies. It discusses how this approach, along with subsidies promoting high-tech industries and regional trade agreements, has led to a retaliatory trade war with China and other BRICS members, escalating tariffs and restrictions on both sides.

This document provides a calendar of upcoming events in the plastic film and sheeting industry, including conferences, symposiums, and webinars from September 2024 to March 2025. These events cover a wide range of topics such as coating science, foams, thermoplastics, additives, and sustainability. The document also includes information on process safety, including recent bulletins from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a report from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board on a fatal well blowout incident in Texas. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is currently investigating two toxic chemical incidents in Louisiana in 2023, aiming to identify the causes and develop safety recommendations. DuPont has announced plans to separate its Water Solutions business into a standalone company, which focuses on providing clean water across various market segments. The separation is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months and will not require a shareholder vote. The new company is expected to have a strong financial position and maintain an investment grade credit rating. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examines the effects of exchange and capital restrictions on trade and compares them with those associated with trade restrictions. Our main result is that capital account restrictions have large and statistically significant effects on trade flows. Such effects are smaller than those from trade restrictions, however. The effects of exchange and capital restrictions are larger for trade in goods, especially for agriculture and manufacturing, and smaller for trade in services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a book review of "Why the West Can't Win: From Bretton Woods to a Multipolar World" by Fady Lama. The book delves into the relationship between economics and geopolitics, emphasizing the importance of considering both economic and security issues. It examines historical power struggles between the West and non-Western countries, with a particular focus on China and India. The author also explores the role of money power, financial crises, and how geopolitical factors impact economic development. The book argues that sustainable development requires economic and political sovereignty. Lama's analysis extends beyond the Western world, incorporating selected sequences from Japanese history to critique Western patterns and ideologies. The book challenges traditional economic causality and offers thought-provoking arguments about the realization of Western geopolitical intentions and the connection between the energy crisis and the Net Zero agenda. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of maintaining a balance between free trade and security perspectives in the global trade framework. It highlights the conflict between the United States and the WTO panel regarding the authority to make decisions on security exceptions. The article also emphasizes the need to restore the WTO's dispute settlement and rule-making functions. It mentions the growing trend of developing trade policies based on security, particularly in the context of the US-China confrontation. The article suggests utilizing the monitoring function of the WTO and establishing a committee to address security-related measures. It also discusses the dispute resolution functions of the WTO and the conflict surrounding the right to decide on security exceptions. The text calls for strategic utilization and dissemination of the trade framework to contribute to the maintenance and expansion of free trade. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the recent surge in inflation and predicts that inflation rates in the G7 countries will continue to fall to 2% or lower in 2024-2025. The inflationary pressure was caused by a combination of wartime-style fiscal and monetary policies and pandemic-related distortions to product and labor markets. However, these sources of inflationary pressure are now receding. The article also highlights the importance of monitoring fiscal deficits, monetary growth, credit conditions, labor markets, and supply disruptions as indicators of future inflation trends. The analysis suggests that policy divergence may occur among the G7 economies, with the US indicators looking stronger than in Europe. Overall, the article concludes that the 'wartime' characteristics of recent inflation are fading, and further declines in inflation are likely. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examines the macroeconomic and development policies to spur economic integration and growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It reviews how economic transformation and integration have fueled growth and job creation in the region. ASEAN's increased participation in global and regional value chains, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a regional hub, laid the solid foundation of regional production networks. However, with the changing role of the PRC in global value chains, the region needs to renew policy initiatives to address the development challenges and seize new growth opportunities with its single market goals. The analysis suggests the region requires strategic plans for infrastructure development, digitalization, and greater integration reinforced by the removal of trade barriers, increased labor mobility, and foreign direct investment mobilization. The region's successful future also depends on cooperative policy efforts around developing e‐government and digital value chains, strengthening micro‐, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises and startups, and building smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns implications of the WTO rules on domestic regulations and trade policy measures and analises trade policy options available for a WTO member-state under the WTO rules that may maintain benefiting from the WTO membership. It describes effects of the WTO disciplines on institutional structure of the member-states and analyses issues relating to the formulation of the WTO compatible trade policy measures and mechanisms of their application, examines possibilities for the utilisation of contingency protection measures available under the WTO law. Issues of institution building, trade regime formation and creation of an adequate normative basis of the trade policy formulation is also touched upon based on such analysis, given that the mentioned aspects of the WTO membership is a necessary condition for a successful WTO compliant trade policy. At the same time, it also becomes important to ensure achievment of the development and welfare interests and avoid of subjecting foreign trade measures to private interests by way of establishment of the appropriate procedures and legal environment. Therefore, shaping trade regime and legal procedures in a way enabling formulation and implementation of measures serving the community interests and excluding or minimising utilisation therof in the interests of the private interest groups aquire utmost importance. Based on this, the paper analyses interactions between the rules, practices and institutions comprising the WTO law and the trade regimes of the memberstates and explores possibilities of establishing, conducting and adaptation of the WTO complaint trade policies capable of ensuring acievement of social and econimic development goals. Therefore, the paper explores the trade policy regulation mechanisms of the states within the normative and institutional framework established by the WTO law, as well as the possibilities of introducing economic and social development-oriented trade policies by the member-states and candidates for membership in accordance with the WTO law. For these purpose, the legal and institutional aspects of the WTO affecting formation of trade policies and the application of trade measures by the member states and consequencies of mutual institutional influences between the WTO law and the trade policies of the member states are highlighted, principal legal and institutional effects arising from the WTO agreements have been analysed, experience of the WTO members in trade policy formulation and implementation have been summarized, deficiencies and shortfalls in the internal legal systems and institutional structures that may arise in connection with the membership in the WTO identified based on analysis of the experience of the WTO members, recommendations and proposals regarding legal adaptation and institutional changes that may be considered necessary or appropriate in connection with WTO membership have been formulated. It is shown that membership in the WTO results in long-term effects on the country's economy, and these effects concern primarily the legal regulation of trade relations. WTO membership, creates the need to constantly adapt the application of trade policy measures to the WTO requirements. The paper asserts that specific times, durations and purposes of trade measures applicable in accordance with the WTO law depend on the specifics of the objectives and the issues to be resolved in a specific political and economic conditions and, therefore, must be determined individually in each case. The trade policy in such case needs to be purposefully and organically reconciled with general macroeconomic measures such as tax policy, labor market regulations, investment environment, currency policy, etc., in order to be able to maintain economic efficience and social welfare under the WTO rules, otherwise it is possible that membership in the WTO can become a source of economic and social tensions. WTO membership may vreate serious economic and social risks. Mitigation of such risks requires adaptation of the legal regulation, as well as institutional and power structures. Solutions should accomodate specific political, economic and social situations, institutional structure and would require involvement of adequate fianacial and intellectual resources. The paper also toches upon the issues of transparency, market competition, good governance methods, market inadequacy and market protection possibilities. As an overall conclusion, it is asserted that adherence to the WTO rules does not ensure the increase in the level of well-being, economic and social development, but only creates the basis for it. Achieving these goals may not be possible through membership in the WTO, but through appropriate organizational structure taking into account the membership requirements, as well as thoughtful decisions on the use of opportunities provided by the WTO. Although the requirements are numerous, the freedom to decide about these requirements is not small. This last aspect is a key issue to consider in terms of the impact of the WTO on trade policy and market access conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the principles of freedom of contract, which is a fundamental principle of civil law, from its historical origins to its current state and challenges. Beginning with Roman law, through medieval legal thought and codifications of the 19th century, the evolution of freedom of contract can be traced. Emphasis is placed on the works of prominent thinkers such as John Locke, Adam Smith, and Friedrich Hayek, who laid the foundations for understanding contractual autonomy and economic freedom. The implementation of directives and regulations, in particular the Directive on consumer rights (2011/83/EU) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), creates uniform standards for EU member states, contributing to the harmonization of legal norms and protection of the rights of participants in contractual relations. The influence of these norms on freedom of contract is analyzed, in particular the question of the balance between the autonomy of the parties and the need for state regulation. The contribution of Ukrainian jurists, such as Oleksandr Svyatotskyi, Nataliya Kuznetsova, and Vasyl Kravchuk, to the study of the principles of freedom of contract is considered. Their works contribute to the integration of Ukrainian legislation into the European legal field, which is an important step in the context of European integration. The article also outlines the modern challenges facing freedom of contract in the context of globalization and the digital economy. Issues of electronic contracts, protection of personal data, regulation of online trading platforms and digital services, as well as the role of social responsibility of companies are discussed. Problematic issues related to the restriction of freedom of contract, the need for state intervention and ensuring the equality of the parties to the contract are considered. Conclusions were made about the need for further research and development of legal doctrine, taking into account international experience and best practices. It is important to continue adapting contract law to new conditions, ensuring a balance between the autonomy of the parties and the protection of public interests in a globalized world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of manipulative practices in online markets and the regulations being implemented in the UK to combat them. Online manipulation tactics exploit psychological vulnerabilities and cognitive biases to influence consumer choices. The UK has introduced legislation such as the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Bill and the Financial Conduct Authority's Consumer Duty to address these practices. The article explores different approaches to regulating manipulative practices, including laws prohibiting specific practices, codes of conduct for firms with strategic market status, and outcomes-based regulation. The effectiveness of these regulations in protecting consumers from manipulation remains to be seen. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose. To develop recommendations on the effectiveness of economic cooperation between Ukraine and China in the context of the implementation of the One Belt One Road initiative (BRI), using the gravity model of trade to analyze the factors influencing such cooperation. Methodology. Analysis of scientific literature and Internet sources – to determine the purpose and objectives of the research; formalization methods – to describe the characteristics, dynamics and states of the gravity model of trade; methods of the theory of the gravity model of trade – to analyze factors affecting bilateral trade and the construction of a model of economic cooperation between China and Ukraine. Findings. A gravity model of trade between China and Ukraine was developed in the context of the implementation of the “One Belt One Road” initiative, which illustrates the influence on bilateral trade of such factors as the size of the economy, the level of demand, port infrastructure, the logistics efficiency index, participation in international organizations and bilateral mutual recognition agreements. It has been proven that the geographical distance and time of trade registration have a negative effect on the efficiency of bilateral trade. Institutional factors also play a key role in bilateral trade. Originality. For the first time, the use of the gravity model of trade has been proposed to assess factors influencing bilateral economic cooperation between China and Ukraine, which contributes to the identification of key factors influencing such cooperation. It has been proven that the dynamics of bilateral trade relations are significantly influenced by the factor of institutional stability and infrastructure development. Practical value. The proposed approach makes it possible to formulate proposals regarding the formation of economic policy aimed at strengthening trade cooperation along the BRI path. They include strengthening infrastructure construction, promoting multilateral cooperation, creating effective mechanisms for economic and trade cooperation, accelerating the development of the free trade area within the framework of the BRI, removing trade barriers, strengthening environmental trade management, and unlocking the trade potential of the BRI countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides evidence on whether the relationship between imported inputs and productivity in Ethiopia depends on foreign ownership. The study uses a nationally representative firm-level unbalanced panel dataset for the period 1996–2016. Methodologically, this paper adopts two complementary empirical approaches: the Gandhi, Navarro, and Rivers (2020; henceforth GNR) two-step approach for estimating the gross output production function and the system GMM approach for estimating the gross output production function. Our results indicate that the use of imported inputs enhances productivity among manufacturing firms with foreign ownership. For domestically owned firms, the effect of imported inputs is relatively small and marginally significant. We thus find evidence that foreign-owned firms have a premium in terms of productivity gains from the use of imported inputs, compared to domestically owned firms. Our results suggest that reducing trade barriers for imported inputs will benefit foreign-owned firms more than domestically owned firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the New Industrial Policy Observatory (NIPO) data set and documents emergent patterns of policy intervention during 2023 associated with the return of industrial policy. The data show that the recent wave of new industrial policy activity is primarily driven by advanced economies and that subsidies are the most employed instrument. Trade restrictions on imports and exports are more frequently used by emerging market and developing economies. Strategic competitiveness is the dominant motive governments give for these measures, but other objectives such as climate change, resilience and national security are on the rise. In exploratory regressions, we find that implemented measures are correlated with the past use of measures by other governments in the same sector, pointing to the tit‐for‐tat nature of industrial policy. Furthermore, domestic political economy factors and macroeconomic conditions correlate with the use of industrial policy measures. We intend for the NIPO to be a publicly available resource to help monitor the evolution and effects of industrial policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of the Murray River as both a crucial transport route and a political barrier during the period of 1836 to 1901 in Australia. Topics include its significance in trade and transport, its impact on regional economic development, and its role in shaping political divisions between New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia before the Federation of Australia in 1901.