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World Customs Organization to Focus on 'Customs Protecting Society' in 2026

World Customs Organization to Focus on 'Customs Protecting Society' in 2026

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has designated 2026 as the year dedicated to the theme 'Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment.' This initiative aims to highlight the critical role customs administrations play globally in safeguarding communities and assisting member states in addressing emerging risks. The WCO plans to host a series of webinars throughout the year to promote this theme and showcase its contributions, alongside its members, to societal protection. These webinars will delve into complex and evolving challenges faced by customs administrations, emphasizing the importance of sustained cooperation and engagement from stakeholders across the global supply chain. The series will cover five key themes of public interest: combating drug trafficking (including synthetic opioids like fentanyl), countering illicit financial flows and anti-money laundering, strengthening supply chain integrity, enhancing security against the proliferation of weapons and materials of mass dest...
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US and China release $60 billion nonsensitive product lists for tariff cuts after Trump-Xi meeting

US and China release $60 billion nonsensitive product lists for tariff cuts after Trump-Xi meeting

The United States and China have released lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts
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New Zealand Boosts WTO's STDF with Contribution for Safe and Inclusive Trade

New Zealand Boosts WTO's STDF with Contribution for Safe and Inclusive Trade

New Zealand has made a new contribution to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership aimed at strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity in developing and least developed countries (LDCs). This contribution was welcomed by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who noted it would help developing countries implement international standards, enhance transparency, and roll out digital tools like ePing and e-SPS certification. Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary, Trade and Economic, at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated that New Zealand is pleased to support the STDF's work, particularly its efforts with Pacific Island Countries. The funding will assist governments and private sector stakeholders in implementing SPS measures based on international standards, consistent with the WTO's SPS Agreement, and will support projects to strengthen regional risk-based approaches and pilot new digital tools for safe trade.
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US and China detail list of products agreed under $30 billion tariff cut deal after Trump-Xi meeting

US and China detail list of products agreed under $30 billion tariff cut deal after Trump-Xi meeting

The United States and China have released lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts
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Tunisian Exporters Utilize Moroccan Port Amidst Diplomatic Tensions to Access African Markets

Tunisian Exporters Utilize Moroccan Port Amidst Diplomatic Tensions to Access African Markets

Tunisian Exporters Utilize Moroccan Port Amidst Diplomatic Tensions to Access African Markets
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Banca d'Italia and ECB Host Workshop on 'China Shock 2.0' and Global Economic Implications

Banca d'Italia and ECB Host Workshop on 'China Shock 2.0' and Global Economic Implications

Banca d'Italia and ECB Host Workshop on 'China Shock 2.0' and Global Economic Implications
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Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada Advocates for Diversified Trade and Strategic Partnerships

Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada Advocates for Diversified Trade and Strategic Partnerships

Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada Advocates for Diversified Trade and Strategic Partnerships
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From motorcycles to booze, US ban on $1 billion worth of Canadian imports goes into effect

From motorcycles to booze, US ban on $1 billion worth of Canadian imports goes into effect

U.S.-Canada relations, already tense, are likely to deteriorate further after the United States went ahead early Tuesday with a decision to ban nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles
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Brazil and U.S. Enhance Collaboration to Combat Transnational Crime Through Intelligence Sharing

Brazil and U.S. Enhance Collaboration to Combat Transnational Crime Through Intelligence Sharing

Brazil and the United States are deepening their partnership to combat transnational organized crime by enhancing intelligence sharing, risk analysis, and operational coordination. This collaboration aims to anticipate threats and strengthen cross-border response capabilities against illicit activities. A key initiative in this effort is the Mutual Interdiction Team (MIT), launched in April, which involves Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service (RFB) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The MIT focuses on integrating intelligence and coordinating actions to identify and intercept illegal shipments of weapons and drugs. This includes sharing information on cargo, routes, and operators to detect suspicious patterns and connect seemingly unrelated shipments, thereby focusing inspections on higher-risk cargo. The objective extends beyond mere interdiction to identifying the organizations that finance and move these illicit goods along international routes. An example of this cooperation was Operation Timber...
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Southeast Asian Nations Unite Against Cyberscams, Pledge Enhanced Resources and Information Sharing

Southeast Asian Nations Unite Against Cyberscams, Pledge Enhanced Resources and Information Sharing

Southeast Asian governments, including Cambodia, have committed to a unified front against cyberscams following a two-day International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) held in Phnom Penh. More than 30 countries, including the United States and China, joined Cambodia in this initiative. Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, who also serves as vice chairman of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), emphasized the importance of partnerships and information sharing to dismantle online scam syndicates. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) officials, meeting in Cambodia, pledged to provide more resources and share vital information in the digital age. This commitment comes as the Southeast Asian scam industry, driven by transnational criminal syndicates, has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global crisis fueled by human trafficking and forced labor in heavily fortified compounds. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Cambodia will no longer be a safe haven for sca...
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Mexico and South Korea Enhance Trade Cooperation and Supply Chain Security

Mexico and South Korea Enhance Trade Cooperation and Supply Chain Security

Mexico and South Korea Enhance Trade Cooperation and Supply Chain Security
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US and China release $60 billion nonsensitive product lists for tariff cuts after Trump-Xi meeting

US and China release $60 billion nonsensitive product lists for tariff cuts after Trump-Xi meeting

The United States and China have released lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts