"Trade Effects of the East African Community." By Matthias Busse and Rasul Shams. THE ESTEY CENTRE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TRADE POLICY, 2005. This report evaluates the trade effects of the new East African Community, which fosters trade liberalisation among Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It identifies commodities that will be particularly affected by the customs union. The results show that considerable trade effects cannot be expected, except for a very narrow range of products. A transitional fund proposed to counter trade imbalances resulting from the new customs union seems less urgent from this perspective. For access to this paper visit http://www.esteyjournal.com/j_pdfs/busseshams6-1.pdf.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND SOUTH-SOUTH TRADE, ESPECIALLY IN COMMODITIES. By the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2005. This paper discusses capacity building for international trade negotiations, including growing demands for such efforts focusing on multilateral and regional trade agreements; South-South trade and regional integration; and increasing South-South cooperation in commodities. For access to this report visit http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/ditctncdmisc20043_en.pdf.
CHINA’S WOOD MARKET, TRADE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. By Z. Chunquan, R. Taylor, and F. Guoqiang. Science Press USA and WWF International, 2004. China is a major player in the global forest products market, both as a producer and consumer. With relatively limited forest resources, China’s wood imports are likely to expand dramatically in order to meet the increasing demand for wood and paper products. This report provides an analysis of China’s forest products market as well as an overview of the diverse policies that shape it, including estimates of future wood supply and demand. Potential policy changes and actions that could reduce the negative impacts of China’s wood products market on the environment are also suggested in the report. For access to this report visit http://panda.org/downloads/forests/chinawoodmarkettradeenvironment.pdf.
SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE WTO AGRICULTURAL NEGOTIATIONS. By Alan Matthews. Trinity College Dublin, 2005. This paper examines the case for special and differential (S&D) treatment for developing countries within the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and the particular instruments or exemptions which such a treatment should contain. It highlights that there have been a number of major shortcomings since the implementation of the AoA. The paper also highlights that changes in the treatment of developing countries in the AoA would be desirable in the areas of tariffs, safeguards and domestic supports. For access to this report visit http://www.tcd.ie/iiis/Discussion%20Paper%20pdfs/iiisdp61.pdf.