AIG Global Trade Series

Regional competition or global harmonisation?

Panellists:       
Anu Bradford, Professor of Law and International Organization, Columbia University
Karen Kornbluh,
Distinguished Fellow for Technology and Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund
 
Moderator:     
Rem Korteweg, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
 
This podcast episode was recorded on 26 October 2023.
 
The 2023 edition of the AIG Global Trade Series explores the extent and impact of regionalisation on the global trade landscape.
 
The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence and other data driven services will have a transformative impact on world trade.  At the
same time, expanding regulation of the digital economy – be it related to AI, concerns around disinformation or cyber security - will also have profound implications for the way trade is conducted. 
In this context the issue of who sets the standards for the global digital economy - and how it is regulated - becomes critical, especially as standard setters often have a material advantage in the market.
 
So how can different approaches to digital regulation be reconciled against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and macroeconomic insecurity? What is the risk of the digital trade space becoming more fragmented? And what does this mean for the future of trade overall?

___________________________________________

The Global Trade Series is a collaboration between AIG and the following international organisations with leading expertise on global trade: the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspen Institute Germany⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chatham House (UK)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CEBRI - the Brazilian Center for International Relations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clingendael Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (The Netherlands); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Institute of International Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(US); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ISPI - the Italian Institute for International Political Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacques Delors Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (France); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIETI - the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Japan) and the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Switzerland). 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of American International Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliates (“AIG”). Any content provided by our speakers are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. AIG makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, or validity of any information provided during this podcast series and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses injuries, or damages arising from its use.

Show Notes

Regional competition or global harmonisation?

Panellists:       

Anu Bradford, Professor of Law and International Organization, Columbia University

Karen Kornbluh, Distinguished Fellow for Technology and Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund

 

Moderator:     

Rem Korteweg, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

 

This podcast episode was recorded on 26 October 2023.

 

The 2023 edition of the AIG Global Trade Series explores the extent and impact of regionalisation on the global trade landscape.

 

The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence and other data driven services will have a transformative impact on world trade.  At the same time, expanding regulation of the digital economy – be it related to AI, concerns around disinformation or cyber security - will also have profound implications for the way trade is conducted. 

In this context the issue of who sets the standards for the global digital economy - and how it is regulated - becomes critical, especially as standard setters often have a material advantage in the market.

 

So how can different approaches to digital regulation be reconciled against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and macroeconomic insecurity? What is the risk of the digital trade space becoming more fragmented? And what does this mean for the future of trade overall? ___________________________________________


The Global Trade Series is a collaboration between AIG and the following international organisations with leading expertise on global trade: the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspen Institute Germany⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chatham House (UK)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CEBRI - the Brazilian Center for International Relations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clingendael Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (The Netherlands); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Institute of International Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(US); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ISPI - the Italian Institute for International Political Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacques Delors Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (France); ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIETI - the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Japan) and the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Switzerland). 


The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of American International Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliates (“AIG”). Any content provided by our speakers are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. AIG makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, or validity of any information provided during this podcast series and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses injuries, or damages arising from its use.

What is AIG Global Trade Series?

Back to the Future: a New Era of Managed Trade?

Globalisation’s next chapter is being written, driven by concerns about supply chain risks. The global trade in goods is increasingly seen through a security prism in capitals around the world and governments are developing new policies to reduce unwanted dependencies, seek new sources of leverage and guarantee supplies. Trade links are being reordered as policymakers scramble to secure access to strategic materials and positions in global value chains. Meanwhile, geopolitical turbulence and climate ambitions are giving rise to industrial policies, sanctions and a growing use of subsidies.

From investment screening to quotas to export controls, policymakers are proposing an increasing number of tools and policies to steer trade and investment flows. But despite worries about protectionism and fragmentation, trade continues as the private sector manages risk by embracing diversification. Elections in the US, EU, Mexico, UK, Indonesia, India and elsewhere may also lead to a reordering of the global politics of trade. Has the global trade system entered an era of managed trade? What will it mean for regional approaches to trade, and what does it mean for multilateralism and the WTO? Ultimately, the main question could be: who is in the driving seat in this brave new world for trade?