by Daniel Ikenson
China Post, Daily News, Egypt, and Business Daily Africa, Kenya, July 20-24, 2008

The Doha Round of multilateral trade talks has already died a thousand deaths. But, apart from the bureaucracies in Geneva, Brussels and Washington, few are grieving.

That's because the world economy is moving forward without a World Trade Organization treaty. [more]

Should Congress Lower Tariffs on Imported Shoes?
POLICY FORUM
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. (Luncheon  to Follow)

Featuring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, Ed Gresser, Progressive Policy Institute, and William Hawkins, U.S. Business and Industry Council.

Among the highest remaining U.S. tariffs are those imposed on imported shoes, with the highest duties applying to the cheapest shoes. Critics of the tariffs contend that they fall most heavily on the poorest American households while “saving” few domestic jobs. Defenders argue that the tariffs provide revenue for the federal government, have little impact on consumer prices, and steer trade to our free-trade partners at the expense of China. [more]

June 17, 2008
Trade facilitation offers alternative to fledgling trade talks

As the Doha Round lies in a cryogenic state, governments can promote trade, investment, and economic growth by reforming the administrative and physical procedures involved in the transport goods into and out of their countries.

In “While Doha Sleeps: Securing Economic Growth through Trade Facilitation” associate director of Cato’s Center for Trade Policy Studies Daniel Ikenson reminds us that “comprehensive multilateral agreement is not the only way to improve the trading system. … Like tariff cuts -- and often with greater impact --improvements in trade facilitation procedures can help reduce the cost of trade and increase its flow.” [more]