Global Trade

Is Canada joining the EU? The story behind its 'associate member' plan

The EU wants Canada to become its first 'associate member', paving the way for closer economic and defence ties, but the proposed status has no established legal framework yet

Rules beyond borders

Beijing has started making laws for the world

India's Brics payment pitch falls short of leaders' declaration

BRICS leaders stopped short of endorsing concrete steps on payment-system interoperability and local-currency trade, leaving India's long-running push without a firm action plan

Brics flags 'unilateral' tariffs, trade barriers as global risks

The reference to unilateral trade and finance-related actions is significant as the US has pursued sweeping tariff measures against trading partners

The wrong cure

The fact that Beijing stands isolated on this issue is a signifier of the fact that it has consistently refused to address these concerns, and is now in fact denying that they even exist

Best of BS Opinion: Sustainable strategy needed for sugar and ethanol

Today's Best of BS Opinion examines rising sugar prices, AI-led credit assessment, global trade dualism, mounting US fiscal risks and China's reshaping of collective memory.

Trade policy review at WTO: World takes note of India's progress

India's eighth WTO Trade Policy Review highlights its growing global trade footprint, digital transformation and FTA push while balancing openness with domestic development priorities

Next trade order needs stronger developing-world voice: ICC Chair

Harsh Pati Singhania says his ICC tenure will focus on giving developing economies a stronger voice in global trade, AI governance and digital standards

J K Paper CMD Singhania elected Chair of International Chamber of Commerce

Harsh Pati Singhania, the Chairman & Managing Director of JK Paper Ltd and Director of JK Organisation, has been elected Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, according to a statement. Singhania was elected as Chair after a meeting held at the ICC Global Headquarters in Paris on Thursday, the statement said. Addressing ICC National Committees, Singhania said, "It is a great honour to take on the role of Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, an institution that has stood for more than a century as a force for open markets, trusted rules and human progress." Outgoing ICC Chair Philippe Varin assumes his new role as ICC Honorary Chair, continuing his engagement with the organisation. PTI RSN 1.0.

Best of BS Opinion: Why PM Modi must leave the past behind and look ahead

From China's bid to expand the renminbi's global role to India's data centre boom, Narendra Modi's next challenges and Pope Leo XIV's views on AI, here's the best of BS Opinion

Real challenge beyond tariffs: Technology and compliance capability

New global trade reports highlight that technological capability and regulatory compliance - not just tariffs - are becoming the key drivers of trade competitiveness

Intra-Brics trade just 5% of global, shows huge potential: Commerce Secy

The intra-BRICS trade has increased multiple times over the last few years but it accounts for only around 5 per cent of the global trade, reflecting huge untapped potential for deeper integration and stronger value-chain linkages, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said. BRICS is a grouping of 11 developing countries - Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. It acts as a platform for consultation and cooperation on contemporary issues having global as well as regional significance, and issues of global political and economic governance. India has assumed the BRICS Chairship for the fourth time, after 2012, 2016 and 2021. Addressing the 2nd Meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Trade and Economic Issues, held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on May 14-15, Agrawal said intra-BRICS merchandise trade has risen 13-fold, from USD 84 billion in 2003 to USD 1.17 trillion in 2024. However, he said, this "trade sti

ICC Arbitration Rules revised with major changes effective June 2026

Updated ICC Arbitration Rules from June 2026 aim to streamline global dispute resolution with faster procedures, stronger digital tools and greater procedural clarity

Traders bet on Asia's tech giants for next leg up in global stocks rally

Shares in South Korea and Taiwan have rallied the most in the world this month, with the surge in the Kospi index taking it up 78 per cent for the year

BS Opinion wrap: India must harness its untapped services trade potential

From services trade trends and POSH gaps in IT firms to rupee volatility, labour reforms, and Arctic geopolitics, here are the key insights from today's Business Standard Opinion page

Straits and narrows: The high cost of closing global chokepoints

Paying tolls to use the Strait of Hormuz is a dark omen for the future of global trade

End of easy globalisation: India must rethink its manufacturing playbook

Policy must now assume depoliticised global trade is over, with US-led politicisation meaning no country treats globalisation as an end

The economics of global disorder: Resilience to trump efficiency, growth

There have, no doubt, been admirable efforts by the government to cushion the energy shock emanating from the Gulf, but there is only so much it can do in such global circumstances

Fractured future: MC14 exposes the limitations of WTO amid deep divisions

The larger takeaway from MC14 is the fragmentation of global trade governance

India backs initiatives to ease investment flows to poor countries

India supports easing investment flows into developing nations but maintains WTO is not the appropriate platform, reiterating opposition to IFD proposal