If the future of trade is regional, what does this mean for global trade ties? The 2023 AIG Global Trade Series will explore how current dynamics are trending towards more regional integration, and what this means for the future of global trade.
Does it herald a new chapter in globalisation, or will economies seek refuge behind protectionist policies and economic nationalism? How are key countries responding to new political and economic pressures and opportunities? Which sectors are most affected? And what does it mean for trade multilateralism, or for our ability to meet global climate objectives? As the pendulum appears to swing back from seeking ever-growing interdependence, the AIG Global Trade Series 2023 assesses how the economics and politics driving trade will change in an era that is more regional, less open and more complex.
The Global Trade Series is a collaboration between AIG and the following international organisations with leading expertise on global trade: the Aspen Institute Germany; CEBRI - the Brazilian Center for International Relations; Chatham House (UK); the Clingendael Institute (The Netherlands); the 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 Institute of International Economic Law (IIEL) is the focal point for the study of international economic law at Georgetown Law, serving as a fulcrum point for legal and policy discussions in international trade and development, international financial regulation, international monetary affairs, transnational business and international tax.
The Institute of International Economic Law was founded in 1999 by the late University Professor John H. Jackson, one of the founders of today’s GATT/WTO system. It is now directed by Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Financial Technology Chris Brummer, who leads an array of accomplished faculty members to facilitate thoughtful and scholarly research and teaching, convene stakeholder meetings and conferences bringing together public and private sector leaders, and offer Executive Education on a broad range of subjects that concern the law of international economic activity. The Institute actively approaches these fields as interrelated and at times overlapping policy spheres that impact how law is devised, practiced and enforced. The Institute hosts two interdisciplinary research hubs, the Sovereign Debt Forum (SDF) and the Center on Inclusive Trade and Development (CITD).
Housed at Georgetown Law, with the largest array of courses in international economic law in the country, IIEL offers students, faculty, alumni and friends the opportunity to routinely interact with top scholars, policymakers, law firms, and think tanks. As part of a top research university, IIEL strives to make available unparalleled opportunities for learning and study based on its location in the heart of Washington DC, and longstanding connections with a variety of global institutions and organizations.
Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-leading policy institute based in London.
Its mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.
It engages governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debate and private discussions about the most significant developments in international affairs. Each year, the institute runs more than 300 private and public events – conferences, workshops and roundtables – in London and internationally with partners. Its convening power attracts world leaders and the best analysts in their respective fields from across the globe.
Its research work focuses on independent and rigorous analysis of critical global, regional and country-specific challenges and opportunities.
Clingendael - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations - is the leading Dutch think-tank and academy for international relations. Its research, training and public debate inspires and equips societies, businesses and governments to encourage a secure, sustainable, prosperous and just world. Clingendael Research provides independent, interdisciplinary, evidence-based and policy-relevant recommendations about urgent international issues. Clingendael analyses the most important trends and issues in international environments and policy, evaluates international policy, studies opinions concerning and buy-in for international policy, develops new ideas and approaches to clarifying international developments, and provides advice on how to approach critical international issues.
The Jacques Delors Institute (JDI) is a European think tank founded in 1996 by Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commision. Its mission is to conduct independent research and to develop policy proposals both for Europe's decision-makers and for a broader audience, in view of contributing to debates on the European integration. It promotes the exchange of ideas through the organisation of experts' seminars and public conferences convening European leaders. Areas of expertise rang from trade policy, energy policy, EU budget, labour and social policies, European institutions and governance, European identity. The Institute is based in Paris and its team works closely with the Jacques Delors Centre (Hertie School of Governance) in Berlin founded in 2014, and the Europe - Jacques Delors created in Brussels in 2020.
The Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank providing leading research and viable policy options to government officials, business executives and the public at large wishing to better understand international issues. Founded in Milan, Italy, in 1934 thanks to the support of a group of businessmen led by Alberto Pirelli, founder of Pirelli S.p.A., ISPI has always adopted a pragmatic approach in analyzing geographical areas and topics of particular interest to Italy and Europe.
ISPI is the only Italian Institute - and among the few in Europe - combining policy-oriented research with an equally significant commitment to education and training, to conferences and advice on international trends for businesses, Institutions and the wider audience. Its work features an inter-disciplinary approach and partnerships with leading think tanks and universities from all over the world.
The Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) is a Japanese policy think tank established in 2001. Its mission is to conduct theoretical and empirical research, maximize synergies with those engaged in policymaking, and to make policy proposals based on evidence derived from such research activities. The institute is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad for its activity.
RIETI invites leading experts from Japan, the United States, Europe, and other Asian countries to give lectures about various global issues including economic security and regional affairs such as the U.S.-China conflict, the situation in the Middle East, the propects of the Chinese economy, climate change, environmental and energy issues, the post-corona global trade system, supply chain risks, SDGs, etc. Many policy proposals are derived from information collected and discussed in these lectures.
The Aspen Institute Germany promotes values-based leadership, constructive dialog among conflicting parties, and Euro-Atlantic cooperation to support and enhance a strong open society. To do so, Aspen Germany convenes decision-makers and experts from the fields of politics, business, academia, media, culture, and civil society in three programs:
The Aspen Institute Germany was founded in Berlin in 1974 and has since then actively promoted the idea of transatlantic community and of a free and open society. It serves as a non-partisan, non-profit convening platform and is part of the global Aspen network, with partners in the United States, the Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Spain and Ukraine. Together, the Institutes are committed to addressing the chanllenges of the 21st century.
The St. Gallen Endowment is the institutional home of the Global Trade Alert, the Digital Policy Alert and the Essential Goods Initiative, the leading independent monitors of government policies affecting traditional and digital cross-border commerce. Because we want globalisation to be better managed for the benefit of all, we reconceive how government policy is recorded, democratise access to that information so that more effective policies can be identified and advance policy initiatives so that international commerce is a stronger engine of human progress in the decades to come. The Endowment is a foundation registered under Swiss Law with its offices in St Gallen, Switzerland. The Endowment's statutes require it to protect and preserve its independence--but that does not preclude engagement with third parties that share our goals.
CEBRI's 24-year history is intimately linked to the development of Brazilian diplomacy and foreign policy. A group of ambassadors, intellectuals and businessmen who sought to strengthen Brazil's international engagement, disseminate knowledge and influence public policymaking toward national development created CEBRI--the country's only think tank dedicated to advancing the global agenda.
Envisioned by Ambassador Luiz Felipe Lampreia, CEBRI's founding members include nationally and internationally renowned figures such as Celso Lafer, Walther Moreira Salles, Eliezer Batista da Silva, Sebastião do Rego Barros Netto, Luciano Martins de Almeida, Carlos Mariani Bittencourt, Daniel Klabin, Gelson Fonseca Jr, João Clemente Baena Soares, Luiz Olavo Baptista, Maria do Carmo Nabuco de Almeida Braga, Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes, and Roberto Teixeira da Costa.
CEBRI stands out for its intellectual patrimony and the size of its Board of Trustees. Its board members include those who have built and continue to build Brazil's history and are essential players in several areas of expertise in the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society. Their histories unite at CEBRI in the commitment to promoting Brazil's international engagement.