The document summarizes a free trade agreement signed between the United States and Morocco in 2004. The agreement aims to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers to increase market access for American manufacturers, service providers, and investors in Morocco. It will remove tariffs on over 95% of bilateral trade within 10 years and level the playing field with European competitors. Key sectors that will benefit include information technology, textiles, manufacturing, services, and government procurement. The agreement creates new opportunities for U.S. exports and investment in priority areas like consumer goods, machinery, chemicals, and aircraft.
CIS countries: Issues and challenges for agriculture in the WTO contextLars Brink
Countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and also Georgia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine face diverse challenges in agricultural policy in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Some are WTO members and some are in the process of acceding. The presentation reviews the WTO rules in agricultural support as they apply to these countries and the opportunities to influence WTO processes these countries have gained or may gain in acceding to the WTO.
Trade liberalization and GVC participation: an EU perspectivePierfrancescoZeoli
The digital artefact that I have created aims to inform the general public on how and why trade liberalization policies and deep trade agreements may give a significant boost to GVCs development. As Master's student in European Affairs I adopted an EU perspective. I first convey the general information on how trade liberalization policies and the elimination of tariffs and nontariff barriers could provide developing countries with greater market access for their exports. Then I use two contrasting case studys, the EU's Everything but Arms (EBA) initiative of 2001 and the Brexit saga to examine why deep trade agreements are not only important for GVC integration between the countries involved in the agreement, but they also have spillovers for countries not directly involved in the deal. As the Brexit saga shows, policy uncertainty can have serious consequences for industries and businesses involved in GVC. Policymakers must therefore consider the impact that different kind of UK-EU trade agreements would have on industries and GVC integration.
'Brexit' –VAT & Customs implications for international supply chainsAlex Baulf
Now that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union (EU), it is clear that the exit will require a fundamental review of how indirect tax (including VAT & customs duty) will operate going forward. We set out Grant Thornton's thinking about what the post-Brexit world might look like for global supply chains. Much will depend on whether we agree a 'Soft Brexit' (retaining some level of access to the Single Market) or a 'Hard Brexit' (No favoured access).
CIS countries: Issues and challenges for agriculture in the WTO contextLars Brink
Countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and also Georgia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine face diverse challenges in agricultural policy in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Some are WTO members and some are in the process of acceding. The presentation reviews the WTO rules in agricultural support as they apply to these countries and the opportunities to influence WTO processes these countries have gained or may gain in acceding to the WTO.
Trade liberalization and GVC participation: an EU perspectivePierfrancescoZeoli
The digital artefact that I have created aims to inform the general public on how and why trade liberalization policies and deep trade agreements may give a significant boost to GVCs development. As Master's student in European Affairs I adopted an EU perspective. I first convey the general information on how trade liberalization policies and the elimination of tariffs and nontariff barriers could provide developing countries with greater market access for their exports. Then I use two contrasting case studys, the EU's Everything but Arms (EBA) initiative of 2001 and the Brexit saga to examine why deep trade agreements are not only important for GVC integration between the countries involved in the agreement, but they also have spillovers for countries not directly involved in the deal. As the Brexit saga shows, policy uncertainty can have serious consequences for industries and businesses involved in GVC. Policymakers must therefore consider the impact that different kind of UK-EU trade agreements would have on industries and GVC integration.
'Brexit' –VAT & Customs implications for international supply chainsAlex Baulf
Now that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union (EU), it is clear that the exit will require a fundamental review of how indirect tax (including VAT & customs duty) will operate going forward. We set out Grant Thornton's thinking about what the post-Brexit world might look like for global supply chains. Much will depend on whether we agree a 'Soft Brexit' (retaining some level of access to the Single Market) or a 'Hard Brexit' (No favoured access).
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 bill forced electronic OEMs to analyze its supply chain to ensure compliance with the new law. The law is not aimed at banning conflict minerals if they originate from the DRC. Manufacturers can still source conflict minerals from the DRC or any adjoining country, but are likely to face liability on failure to disclose their sourcing practices.
Brexit: The customs impact on UK businessesAlex Baulf
Following the referendum vote on 23 June 2016, the UK has voted to leave the EU. Exactly when this will happen and how is not yet known. In the coming months, the UK will be expected to submit its withdrawal notice to the EU Council -under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) -to formally notify the EU of its withdrawal. The notification will trigger a two-year notice period and negotiations on the terms of a UK exit will begin. Until then, UK businesses should continue to comply with and trade under the existing Union Customs Code (UCC) that entered into force on 1 May 2016.
Assuming that 'Brexit' does eventually happen, businesses need to:
• assess the risks and opportunities that this poses for their supply chain
• where possible, put in place plans to manage these changes, to ensure their activities run smoothly and mitigate the potential impact, and
• take appropriate steps to prepare for the ‘unknown’.
Unless there is a dramatic 'U' turn, it seems clear that, at some point in the future, the UK will leave the EU. From a UK business perspective such a move will not only present many challenges, but will also provide opportunities.
The vote to leave will continue to create considerable uncertainty until the details of any agreement(s) are known. Businesses affected by Brexit will need to plan for that uncertainty and will need to understand the potential impacts. For this reason, a supply chain impact assessment is prudent and should help to provide some clarity in relation to a business’s exposure.
Glyn Moody TAFTA/TTIP talk at re:publica 14glynmoody
This short talk presents a brief background to the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP), also known as TAFTA, and explains why the predicted benefits are far smaller than are generally believed. It also explores an important but neglected aspect: the likely costs.
EU Referendum: Brexit and the Implications for BrandsOgilvy Consulting
No political question has captivated businesses in the same way as the British referendum on European Union membership (aka Brexit).
In this deck, two Ogilvy politicos to dive into the referendum, implications of a potential #brexit, and to advise on communicating around the outcome.
Mathew Shearman, Senior Account Manager at Ogilvy Healthworld London and James Stewart, Associate Director at Ogilvy Public Relations London cover:
- Perspectives on the challenges facing clients
- Recommend Brexit priorities for businesses and Leaders
- Deep-dive on implications for the pharmaceutical industry
Recent policies guiding economic and trade relations between the European Union (EU) and countries of the Mediterranean were aimed at creating an area of shared prosperity. The process started in the late 1970’s with the establishment of Cooperation Agreements between the EU and many countries of the Mediterranean region. The goal was to create a free trade area. This initiative gained speed in the mid‐1990’s with the launch of the Barcelona Process (1995) which eventually upgraded most of these Cooperation Agreements into Association Agreements (AA). These AAs sought the gradual elimination of tariffs on a substantial share of trade between its signatories. At the same time, the EU supported the signing of bilateral agreements between countries of the Mediterranean in order to enhance South‐South integration.
Authored by: Luc De Wulf, Maryla Maliszewska
Published in 2010
The Rough Guide to Brexit.
Presented at the Association of Language Companies' annual conference at the Eden Roc Miami May 2017 by Richard Brooks.
It explores the following; where Brexit came from, who voted for Brexit, what lessons can we learn, the current economic problems and opporties in the UK and what the future might hold.
The talk ends with the results of a survey of 100 C level business people in the UK.
The United Kingdom (UK) intends to withdraw from the European Union (EU), a process commonly known as BREXIT, as a result of June 2016 referendum in which 52% voted to leave EU. The term “BREXIT” is the short form of the words “BRITISH” and “EXIT”.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 bill forced electronic OEMs to analyze its supply chain to ensure compliance with the new law. The law is not aimed at banning conflict minerals if they originate from the DRC. Manufacturers can still source conflict minerals from the DRC or any adjoining country, but are likely to face liability on failure to disclose their sourcing practices.
Brexit: The customs impact on UK businessesAlex Baulf
Following the referendum vote on 23 June 2016, the UK has voted to leave the EU. Exactly when this will happen and how is not yet known. In the coming months, the UK will be expected to submit its withdrawal notice to the EU Council -under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) -to formally notify the EU of its withdrawal. The notification will trigger a two-year notice period and negotiations on the terms of a UK exit will begin. Until then, UK businesses should continue to comply with and trade under the existing Union Customs Code (UCC) that entered into force on 1 May 2016.
Assuming that 'Brexit' does eventually happen, businesses need to:
• assess the risks and opportunities that this poses for their supply chain
• where possible, put in place plans to manage these changes, to ensure their activities run smoothly and mitigate the potential impact, and
• take appropriate steps to prepare for the ‘unknown’.
Unless there is a dramatic 'U' turn, it seems clear that, at some point in the future, the UK will leave the EU. From a UK business perspective such a move will not only present many challenges, but will also provide opportunities.
The vote to leave will continue to create considerable uncertainty until the details of any agreement(s) are known. Businesses affected by Brexit will need to plan for that uncertainty and will need to understand the potential impacts. For this reason, a supply chain impact assessment is prudent and should help to provide some clarity in relation to a business’s exposure.
Glyn Moody TAFTA/TTIP talk at re:publica 14glynmoody
This short talk presents a brief background to the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP), also known as TAFTA, and explains why the predicted benefits are far smaller than are generally believed. It also explores an important but neglected aspect: the likely costs.
EU Referendum: Brexit and the Implications for BrandsOgilvy Consulting
No political question has captivated businesses in the same way as the British referendum on European Union membership (aka Brexit).
In this deck, two Ogilvy politicos to dive into the referendum, implications of a potential #brexit, and to advise on communicating around the outcome.
Mathew Shearman, Senior Account Manager at Ogilvy Healthworld London and James Stewart, Associate Director at Ogilvy Public Relations London cover:
- Perspectives on the challenges facing clients
- Recommend Brexit priorities for businesses and Leaders
- Deep-dive on implications for the pharmaceutical industry
Recent policies guiding economic and trade relations between the European Union (EU) and countries of the Mediterranean were aimed at creating an area of shared prosperity. The process started in the late 1970’s with the establishment of Cooperation Agreements between the EU and many countries of the Mediterranean region. The goal was to create a free trade area. This initiative gained speed in the mid‐1990’s with the launch of the Barcelona Process (1995) which eventually upgraded most of these Cooperation Agreements into Association Agreements (AA). These AAs sought the gradual elimination of tariffs on a substantial share of trade between its signatories. At the same time, the EU supported the signing of bilateral agreements between countries of the Mediterranean in order to enhance South‐South integration.
Authored by: Luc De Wulf, Maryla Maliszewska
Published in 2010
The Rough Guide to Brexit.
Presented at the Association of Language Companies' annual conference at the Eden Roc Miami May 2017 by Richard Brooks.
It explores the following; where Brexit came from, who voted for Brexit, what lessons can we learn, the current economic problems and opporties in the UK and what the future might hold.
The talk ends with the results of a survey of 100 C level business people in the UK.
The United Kingdom (UK) intends to withdraw from the European Union (EU), a process commonly known as BREXIT, as a result of June 2016 referendum in which 52% voted to leave EU. The term “BREXIT” is the short form of the words “BRITISH” and “EXIT”.
Reforming trade in services and negotiation processes in moroccoAdil Diani
Morocco has signed, ratified, and implemented several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and is engaged in discussions with other partners. Issues that concern the market of services are gaining in importance in Morocco’s foreign trade policy. Moreover, Morocco has continued to reform its sectoral policies, making notable progress in services sector performances in a bid to diversify its economy.
This paper tries to outline some features that concern the trade in services policies and reforms in Morocco and its negotiation process adopted by enforcing bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements.
InsightsPrimer The Trans Pacific PartnershipBY JACQUE.docxcarliotwaycave
Insights
Primer: The Trans Pacific
Partnership
BY JACQUELINE VARAS | NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Introduction
After years of negotiations and weeks of anticipation, the final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has
been released.[1] TPP is a trade agreement between the United States, Japan, and ten other Pacific nations.
These countries represent 40 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product and, combined, would form the
largest free trade area ever created.[2]
Source: Forbes[3]
AMERICANACTIONFORUM.ORG
http://americanactionforum.org/experts/jacqueline-varas
The Trade Promotion Authority, passed earlier this year, established guidelines for the passage of trade deals
like TPP. These guidelines stipulate that an up or down vote from Congress cannot occur for at least 90 days
after the President notifies Congress of his intention to sign the agreement[4], which he did on November 5,
2015. This gives the public and Congress ample time to analyze its contents in detail and determine its
implications for the American economy.
Tariffs and Non-Tariff Barriers
The primary purpose of TPP is to eliminate barriers to trade. One such barrier, tariffs, drives up the cost of
foreign goods in order to encourage the sale of goods manufactured at home. These taxes on imports make
foreign goods and services more expensive, reducing trade and limiting competition. Expanding competition,
however, is generally thought to lower prices, incentivize innovation in manufacturing, and encourage the
creation of higher quality goods.
TPP eliminates or reduces all tariffs on goods traded between partner countries. Currently, tariffs imposed on
U.S. exports are as high as 100 percent on goods and 700 percent on agriculture products. The TPP agreement
would abolish many of these tariffs, translating into approximately 18,000 tax cuts on U.S. goods sold abroad.[5]
TPP also aims to increase trade in services. Services make up a substantial portion of U.S. trade, accounting for
$711 billion of exports in 2014.[6] TPP expands market access in this area by prohibiting quantity restrictions
on imported services, outlawing discrimination against foreign service providers, and encouraging the open
exchange of services in all sectors.[7]
Electronic Commerce
TPP is the first trade agreement to establish guidelines concerning electronic commerce.[8] Specifically, it bans
forced data localization laws, which mandate that firms place physical servers in areas where they would like to
do online business. These laws place undue burdens on businesses and make cross-border data flows more
expensive, restricting electronic commerce and hurting consumers.[9] TPP also prohibits customs duties,
another form of import taxes, on electronic transmissions and includes several provisions to facilitate paperless
trading. These features all aim to encourage e-commerce as a growing method of international trade.
The agreement is also the first to spec ...
Ctrl+Alt+Del-Hate is an online E-magazine and broader initiative dedicated to combating polarization, hate and extremism. It's part of the www.LightUponLight.Online ecosystem. With articles and insights offered by former violent extremists, survivors of extremist violence and researchers, the magazine combats extremist groups and individuals online and is used in print offline to prevent interest in extremist ideologies/movements & to provide positive alternatives for those in radical movements.
1. Prepared by the Office of Trade Policy Analysis, Manufacturing and Services, International Trade Administration. November 2004.
The United States and Morocco concluded a historic and comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) during March 2004.
The FTA, designed to eliminate and reduce tariffs and other trade barriers, will dramatically increase market access in
Morocco for U.S. manufacturers and service providers.
The United States ’ commitment to liberalized trade in the region supports the development of tolerant, open, prosperous
societies. The Government of Morocco, with the strong support of King Mohamed VI, launched an initiative to streamline
investment procedures and eliminate barriers to foreign and domestic investment. The FTA also contains provisions to help
improve Morocco’s investment climate and protect U.S. investments.
In addition to opening Moroccan markets to greater American
exports, the FTA levels the playing field with European competition
and allows American corporations based in Morocco to export to
Europe duty-free. This FTA is part of the broader Middle East Free
Trade Initiative launched by President Bush in May 2003.
Manufactured Goods
• This FTA eliminates tariffs on more than 95 percent of
bilateral trade with all tariffs to be eliminated within 10
years.
• EU exports to Morocco have doubled over the past 10
years, due in part to a free trade agreement
implemented between the EU and Morocco in 2000.
The U.S.- Morocco FTA will level the playing field for
U.S. companies vis-à-vis their European competitors
and increase U.S. market share in North Africa.
• U.S. exports to Morocco face high tariffs, averaging
28.3 percent. One-third of U.S. exports face tariffs of
50 percent or greater. The Agreement will immediately
rectify this competitive disadvantage faced by the U.S.
industry.
• The U.S. information technology sector will also see
new opportunities in Morocco. In conjunction with the
FTA, Morocco agreed to join the WTO Information
Technology Agreement, liberalizing 95 percent of U.S.
information technology trade immediately.
Textiles and Apparel
• Tariffs on trade in textile and apparel products meeting
the Agreement’s rule of origin will be phased out over
the course of ten years providing new opportunities for
U.S. and Moroccan fiber, yarn, fabric and apparel
manufacturing.
U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement
Key Market Access Results and Benefits
The United States currently exports an
average $475 million worth of products
to Morocco each year. Leading exports
include aircraft, corn, and machinery.
Morocco - Average Tariffs by Sector
2002
MS
TEM
IT
IM
AERO
MF
CHP
MET
MTP
CG
RUB
BP
FP
ACC
ARM
FISH
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Sector
Tariff Rate
FISH = Fish ARM = Arms & Ammunition
ACC = Accessories FP = Forest Products
BP = Building Products RUB = Rubber
CG = Consumer Goods MTP = Motor Vehicles & Parts
MET = Metals & Ores CHP = Chemicals & Pharm.
MF = Minerals & Fuels AERO = Aerospace
IM = Infrastructure & Machinery IT = Information Technology
TEM = Transport Materials MS = Med. & Scientific Equip
Top U.S. Exports to Morocco
as a percent of average non-textile industrial U.S. exports to
Morocco - 1999 - 2001
Infrastructure
& Machinery
Medical &
Scientific
Equip.
2%Aerospace
Other
5%
Minerals &
Fuels
Forest
Products
3%
Information
Technology
40%
15%
24%
11%
2. Prepared by the Office of Trade Policy Analysis, Manufacturing and Services, International Trade Administration. November 2004.
Services
• Key service sectors covered by the FTA include
audiovisual, express delivery, telecommunications,
computer and related services, distribution, and
construction and engineering.
• Construction Services. The FTA covers all
construction services except port and river dredging
and the construction of national landmarks and
religious buildings. Many opportunities could emerge
for U.S. suppliers in this sector as Morocco continues
to modernize its infrastructure and economy.
• Financial Services. U.S. financial service suppliers will
have the right to establish subsidiaries and joint
ventures in Morocco (in the case of insurance agency
and brokerage, Morocco can limit foreign equity to 51
percent). In addition, banks and insurance companies
will have the right to establish branches, subject to a
four-year phase-in for most insurance services.
Morocco will also allow U.S.-based firms to offer cross-
border services to Moroccans in areas such as
financial information and data processing, and financial
advisory services. U.S. investors will enjoy almost all
circumstances the right to establish, acquire and
operate investments in Morocco on an equal footing
with Moroccan investors, and with investors of other
countries.
• ??E-Commerce. Each government commits to non-
discriminatory treatment of digital products and agrees
not to impose customs duties on digital products. For
digital products delivered on hard media (such as a
DVD or CD), customs duties will be based on the value
of the media (for instance, the disc), not on the value of
the movie, music or software contained on the disc.
Government Procurement
• The FTA provides access to procurements by 30
central government entities, including Ministries of
Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior and the Prime
Minister. The FTA covers all of Morocco’s provinces
and prefectures. The FTA covers all of Morocco’s
provinces and prefectures.
• U.S. companies will also have access to procurements
carried out by 136 administrative and public bodies
including such strategic entities as the National Office
of Electricity, National Office of Airports, National Office
of Potable Water, National Railroad Office, and Office
of Ports Utilization. Many of these types of entities in
developing countries participate in strategic
procurements related to infrastructure and exploitation
of natural resources.
• For covered procurements the FTA ensures that
Moroccan government purchasers cannot discriminate
against U.S. firms, or in favor of Moroccan firms.
• Strong and transparent disciplines on procurement
procedures, such as requiring advance public notice of
purchases, as well as timely and effective bid review
procedures provide U.S. suppliers with not only greater
opportunity but also increased certainty.
Best Prospects
While the benefits of the U.S.–Morocco FTA will be felt broadly throughout U.S. industry, certain
sectors are particularly well positioned to capitalize on the results of this Agreement. These sectors
include consumer products such as frozen fish, hair and beauty products, chemical products such
as additives, paints, varnishes and cleaning products. Other sectors and products that are expected
to benefit significantly from this Agreement include industrial and electrical machinery, fork lift trucks,
tractors and trailers, machine tools, construction equipment, electrical energy products,
medicaments including antibiotics and hormones, aluminum, automotive accessories including
electrical lighting and windshield wipers, and aircraft/spacecraft and balloons.
Highlights: Information technology is a significant area of opportunity for U.S. firms, including sound
media equipment, semiconductor devices, data processing, and electrical and precision instruments.
Also, improved openness in services offer opportunities in water treatments such as wastewater and
seawater desalination, tourism, engineering and consulting.