On November 1st, Katrin Kuhlmann, CITD Co-Director, joined the Global Economic Ideas Festival (GEIF). This annual global conference hosted by the Institute of Certified Chartered Economists (ICCE) and is set to bring together world leaders and top global policy shapers in interactive panel sessions and insightful keynotes.

The panel, titled "Leaving no one Behind: Rethinking Globalization in a Fragmented World", was moderated by Dr. Frannie Leautier, Charirperson for GEIF 2023, and joined by M. Azhar Hussain from the International Board of Standards, ICCE, Margareta Drzeniek, Managing Partner of the Horizon Group and Professor Kuhlmann.

During the discussion the panelists explored how in recent years the patterns of trade of all kinds have shifted, transforming the opportunities and challenges of globalization. The panel also delved into how today’s shifts represent an opportunity to take stock and ensure that the processes of global integration deliver better outcomes for all.

During an event hosted by the Climate Leadership Council (CLC), Jennifer Hillman and James Bacchus, two former WTO Appellate Body members, discussed a new CLC report titled “Carbon Import Fees and the WTO”. The discussion explored how, while existing rules offer opportunities for various climate-related efforts, tweaking those rules or launching new negotiations could be even more effective.

The report was written by CLC Vice President for Policy and Research Matt Porterfield, and outlines a series of “WTO defenses” for “carbon import fees,” the CLC’s catch-all term for duties imposed at the border based on carbon emissions.

December 8, 2022

CITD Co-Director Katrin Kuhlmann presented her research at the WTO's Trade Congress on Gender: Gender Equality for Sustainable Trade and Recovery. The three-day event was the first of its kind, featuring top researchers and their ground-breaking analysis of the relationship between trade and inclusivity. With 82 of the world's top gender and trade researchers presenting across 15 sessions to nearly 1,000 participants, the Congress laid the groundwork for innovative global solutions to the 21st century's unprecedented challenges. Georgetown Law's Kuhlmann presented her paper Gender Mainstreaming in Trade Agreements: "A Potemkin Facade"?, co-authored with Amrita Bahri, in addition to hosting CITD and the DisAbled Women's Network of Canada's joint discussion, "Making Trade Agreements Work for People with Disabilities."

In her recent conversation with the Friends of Multilateralism Group, Jennifer Hillman discussed recent major developments in US trade policy since 2018, and the transition of trade priorities from the Trump administration to that of President Biden. Hillman then described the US move to an initiatives-centric economic policy, especially with regards to international trade. Several key shifts in perceptions around US trade policy will shape the outcome of WTO trade efforts.

CITD Co-Director Jennifer Hillman participated in a US Trade Policy Preview with the Friends of Multilateralism Group's "Trade Policy Preview," or "TP-P" series. Across this multi-year installation, FMG gathers regional, policy, and academic experts to examine and react to WTO trade policy trends in different countries. This week's iteration of the series focused on the United States and its future under new WTO policies.

Jennifer Hillman testified on the importance of WTO reform before the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade on October 24th. Gathering with other experts on global trade, Hillman emphasized the relationship between global trade outcomes and successful US and EU cooperation leadership efforts. She further discussed the erosion of buy-in to WTO commitments and outlined potential reform methods and substance as the world navigates the notable transition in US leadership and policy over the past four years.

This fall, CITD's Katrin Kuhlmann joined Rem Korteweg and Beata Javorcik in a panel discussion on AIG's Global Trade Series podcast. Together, they discussed the range of impacts international trade has on women and gender equality in the global arena. Central to the panel discussion and Katrin Kuhlmann's work are questions about the nature of opportunities created by international trade for women, as well as identifying action items to ensure that globalization empowers women while advancing a narrative of gender equality.