World Trade Research Articles

Enhancing English and accounting skills through a VOCABING-based technology program for MSMEs in Kediri

Digital economic transformation which is the impact of technological development changes the perspective of Indonesian on economic behavior. The use of technology in economics activity is increasing nowadays. It impacts on the development of the economic sectors. Macro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) one of the business roles in Indonesia have to do some innovation for its existing in today's trading world. The strategy that can be implemented for facing that case is by adapting the technology use and enhancing the quality of human resources through increasing competence and skills. Considering that the performance of an organization is determined by the human resources it has. Community service program through Integrated Training; Vocabulary Building & Accounting (VOCABING)-Based Technology needs to be held for MSMEs in Kediri. These activities include training in English and the Use of Accounting Technology for improving MSMEs skill. it is based on vocabulary mastery which influence the ability to understand the complex information and instructions. The activity held two days series through four steps; planning, implementation, evaluations, and reporting. For proving the training’s goals, it used tests and assessment. The results showed that there was an increase of 12.5% in the final English test score and participants completed the work instruction assessment correctly.

From farm to fork? Brexit and the International Plant Protection Convention

Import and export controls ensure plant pests and diseases harmful to food production, the plants across our landscape, and ecosystem services, are not moved during trade. The ‘International Plant Protection Convention’ (IPPC) provides the framework for applying preventive measures where they are technically justified, and stipulates controls are not to be used as arbitrary restrictions on international trade. This article examines the aims of the Brexit trade agreements and reviews their alignment with the IPPC and other World Trade Organisation agreements. It argues that unjustified controls have been applied under the guise of protective requirements (contributing to EU-GB trade disruption) and identifies a divergence at the point of regulatory implementation of these laws and treaties by official bodies on both sides. The article reviews the position of Northern Ireland, which, to avoid a ‘hard border’ on the island of Ireland, remains under the European Union (EU)'s plant health (phytosanitary) regime. Reflecting on legislative options available to bring the application of plant health regulations into alignment with the IPPC (such as dispute resolution), these options remain unused. However, the possibility of utilising ‘import authorisations’ would leave neither Great Britain nor EU Member States exposed to any greater environmental risk than that under the single market.

REVIEW OF FUNDING PROCEDURES ON PT FIFGROUP CILEGON BRANCH

Purpose - In the world of trade in goods and services, the types of transactions that are commonly carried out are payment by cash or credit. PT. Federal International Finance is one of the actors in the business world engaged in business Honda motorcycle credit sales financing. Total financing is dominated by credit. This is done primarily in addition to attracting as many buyers as possible also to make it easier for consumers to manage cash Design/methodology/approach - Financing credit sales of Honda motorcycles to PT. FIFGROUP uses a system and credit financing procedures. The purpose of this study is (1) to analyze the effectiveness of procedures for providing credit funds to customers at PT. FIFGROUP Cilegon Branch (2) To analyze the customer's bad credit control system PT. FIFGROUP Celeron Branch Finding - Observations were made on the results of this study shows In analyzing the feasibility of granting credit to consumers, besides using 5C analysis the company also uses five parameters feasibility in analyzing whether or not the prospective debtor is financed credit, this proves that the company has carried out the process credit approval in accordance with procedures established by the company. Appropriate division of tasks and segregation of functions is control internal company which is one way to minimize risk uncollectible accounts receivable. Keywords: procedures, assessment procedures Automotive.

Does opening up change customs? Evidence from trade liberalization and marriage payments in China

AbstractThere is widespread concern about whether opening up changes cultural customs. However, empirical evidence remains limited. In this paper, we provide new evidence on this issue by examining the impact of trade liberalization on marriage payment customs in China. We first provide a conceptual framework based on a labor market perspective to illustrate how trade liberalization has driven changes in marriage payment customs. Then, using China's World Trade Organization accession as a quasi‐natural experiment, this paper uses the difference‐in‐differences strategy and China's large‐scale household survey data to conduct an empirical study. Our results suggest that trade liberalization has reduced marriage payments in China, especially the bride price but not the dowry. Evidence from industry and census surveys suggests that the declining earning ability of marriageable men and the increasing relative economic status of women have driven down the bride price from the supply and demand sides, respectively. We also find that the impact of trade liberalization has been concentrated on southern and rural households. In addition to the decline in the bride price, the bad practice of child marriage in China has also been alleviated as a result.

Developing Countries and Joint Statement Initiatives at the WTO: Damned if You Join, Damned if You Don't?

ABSTRACTLimited progress in World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade negotiations has led to calls to expand plurilateral processes through which groups of member states can negotiate new agreements. These calls have manifested in Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs), covering issues such as investments and e‐commerce. To their proponents, JSIs offer a path to update rules and move towards flexible multilateralism. However, critics argue that JSIs marginalize developing countries and reinforce the dominance of advanced economies. Notwithstanding this criticism, a growing number of developing countries are joining these initiatives. Through data collected from in‐depth interviews with officials from 60 WTO member states, this article examines the drivers for growing JSI membership among developing countries. It illustrates that many are joining JSIs to avoid being excluded from agreements that might become binding in the future. While such membership is driven by fear of exclusion and the preference to ‘be in the room’, the negotiation processes of the JSIs often mean that developing countries have little actual influence over the negotiation outcomes. The article concludes that JSIs represent a significant change in the organization of multilateral trade negotiations and enable larger economies to restore their ‘go‐it‐alone power’ in multilateral trade governance.

Russia Conflict on Twitter: Social factors and polarity on users’ interactions

In the aftermath of armed conflicts, societal expressions unfold through diverse communication channels, with Twitter. Individuals share these expressions, aiming for broader societal consumption, fostering interaction across impacted entities—individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments. This analytical endeavor aims to analyze interaction patterns responding to sociocultural factors and sentimentally charged content on Twitter in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This research employed a sequential mixed approach to examine social factors in user publications on Twitter and assess their impact on interactions, considering sentimental polarity. The qualitative phase involved netnographic exploration of a total of 2578 tweets, collected from users World Trade Organization since February 24, 2022, until March 31, 2022. The subsequent quantitative phase analyzed the relationship between social factors, sentimental polarity, and user interactions through decision tree analysis. The results show that notably, the categories MET-Mention (35.82%) and MSG-Message (35.82%) emerged as the most frequent Two interactions were the most common (52.5%). The primary theme discussed in the messages was Information with 52.99% of the twits. Negative polarity emerged as the factor triggering more engagement, resulting in higher interaction levels. The majority of interactions (52.5%) were characterized by two interactions. In conclusion, the dominance of the information category underscores the pivotal role of social media in disseminating information during global events. Furthermore, negative sentiment, is associated with conflict-related concerns, correlated with higher interaction levels.

Подъем протекционизма в политике США и ЕС: как это повлияет на Восточную Азию?

Global political economy has been experiencing a new normal period through the COVID-19 pandemic and theUkraine War since Jan. 2020. At the same time, the trade conflict between the USA and China has been continuingsince the Trump Administration and even expanding to the technology conflict under the Biden Administration thathas enhanced protectionism in the world trade. Due to these conflicts, discussions on de-globalization or re-globalizationare raised. The two expected or unexpected historical events have resulted in a long wave of high inflation,energy and food crises, disorder of global supply chains etc. in the global economy, which is known as a new normalera shifted from low inflation, well-functioning global supply chains (GSCs) based on division of labor. In order tostrengthen its economic and political leadership, the Biden government has upgraded the Trump’s America FirstPolicy to the Made in America Policy based on Chips and Science Act (CSA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA),which represent a new era of protectionism. In parallel, the EU has also considered to impose Net Zero Industry Act(NZIA) and other Acts. The research hypothesis is that protectionism in the name of economic security generatesinstability of the world trade. Its result may be negative impacts of some East Asian economies. This paper aims toanalyze the new trend of protectionism in the USA and the EU. It also focuses on impacts of protectionism on EastAsia in general and South Korea in particular.

Lack of association of impaired upper airway sensation with the presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnoea or chronic rhinosinusitis in World Trade Center responders

ObjectiveExamine sensory function of the upper airway in four groups of subjects recruited from the World Trade Centre General Responder Cohort (WTCGRC), with/without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and with/without chronic...

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles and breast cancer among World Trade Center survivors.

Increased incidence of cancer has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed persons. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of cancer development. To date, only a few small studies have investigated the relationship between WTC exposure and DNA methylation. The main objective of this study was to assess the DNA methylation profiles of WTC-exposed community members who remained cancer free and those who developed breast cancer. WTC-exposed women were selected from the WTC Environmental Health Center clinic, with peripheral blood collected during routine clinical monitoring visits. The reference group was selected from the NYU Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort study with blood samples collected before 9 November 2001. The Infinium MethylationEPIC array was used for global DNA methylation profiling, with adjustments for cell type composition and other confounders. Annotated probes were used for biological pathway and network analysis. A total of 64 WTC-exposed (32 cancer free and 32 with breast cancer) and 32 WTC-unexposed (16 cancer free and 16 with prediagnostic breast cancer) participants were included. Hypermethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine probe sites (defined as β > 0.8) were more common among WTC-exposed versus unexposed participants (14.3% vs. 4.5%, respectively, among the top 5000 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites). Cancer-related pathways (e.g., human papillomavirus infection, cGMP-PKG) were overrepresented in WTC-exposed groups (breast cancer patients and cancer-free subjects). Compared to the unexposed breast cancer patients, 47 epigenetically dysregulated genes were identified among WTC-exposed breast cancers. These genes formed a network, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling genes WNT4 and TCF7L2, and dysregulation of these genes contributes to cancer immune evasion. WTC exposure likely impacts DNA methylation and may predispose exposed individuals toward cancer development, possibly through an immune-mediated mechanism.

Опасность фрагментации глобальной экономики нарастает

The article examines the reasons for the fragmentation of the world economy and global trade at the beginning of the21st century. The author explores two aspects of this fragmentation. The first relates to the weakening of the World TradeOrganization (WTO) and its rule-making function, which has intensified regionalization, as manifested in the emergence ofmega trade agreements. Further progress of the latter, while the WTO remains relatively weak, may contribute to the futurefragmentation of world trade, from which small developing countries will primarily lose. The second aspect is largely due tothe consequences of the financial crisis of 2008–09, which resulted in the desire of key players to create more autonomousnational economies and ensure economic security to avoid excessive costs in the event of future crises. This gave rise to talkabout strengthening deglobalization trends. The second aspect also includes the U.S. – China trade war with technologicaldecoupling between them, the influence of geopolitical factors on trade, and the impact of industrial policies of large stateson trade. The final part of the article provides a brief analysis of the negative impact of fragmentation on the global economyand trade. The author concludes that geo-economic fragmentation poses a real threat to the global economy.

Don DeLillo’s Falling Man as Cultural Trauma Fiction

Abstract The sociological concept of cultural trauma provides a useful lens for understanding large-scale traumatic events and their literary legacies because this concept recognizes the historical, social, and cultural aspects of trauma rather than limiting its scope to the experiences of individuals or small collectives. The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 initiated widespread trauma through the spectacle of the planes colliding with the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Literature after 9/11 is both a product of cultural trauma and a means of exploring the profound effects of that trauma. Some 9/11 novels are part of a subgenre I call Cultural Trauma Fiction, which depicts and explores the effect of a large-scale traumatic event on a culture. Texts within this subgenre represent multiple identities and perspectives, engage with cultural concerns about memorializing the trauma, consider the ethics of representing that trauma through different media, and advance counternarratives that challenge dominant government or media narratives about the trauma. Don DeLillo’s Falling Man constitutes a work of Cultural Trauma Fiction in that its structure and narrative strategies move beyond the scope of the novel’s plot, offering insight into the cultural response to 9/11 and countering hegemonic narratives. Works of Cultural Trauma Fiction like Falling Man highlight the collective hidden transcript of traumatic events and challenge official narratives that oversimplify cultural traumas. Falling Man complicates and enriches the collective understanding of 9/11 by challenging, revising, and reconstructing its cultural narratives.

The Romania-Brazil Trade Relationship under the Threat of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the War in Ukraine

Abstract The year 2020 began with a health crisis, asserted in the same year, as the coronavirus pandemic. In this sense, world governments have taken measures to protect their national economies, measures such as limiting exports or social distancing. In 2022, the economy showed signs of recovery, when in February, war broke out between Ukraine and Russia. Thus, the two events negatively impacted world trade. In this paper, the aim is to point out the impact of the health, economic and war crisis on Romania-Brazil commercial relations, in the period 2019–2023, on Brazilian investments in Romania and on Romanian investments in Brazil. Romania is part of the European Union, being also a military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukrainians. Otherwise, Brazil is part of a totally different political structure, being a partner and ally of Russia. A descriptive research will be carried out on Romania-Brazil trade, in the period 2019–2023, based on the information on the Comexstat platform. In order to identify Brazilian investments in Romania, the research will be carried out conformable of the information provided by the National Trade Registry Office, and the research on Romanian investments in Brazil will be carried out conformable of the information provided by Banco Central do Brasil. The year 2023 represents the best economic year for trade between Romania and Brazil from the period 2019–2023, as commercial exchanges increased by 16% in 2023, compared to 2019. Regarding Brazilian investments in Romania, they are increasing, but Romanian investments in Brazil are decreasing. This work is innovative, because it sheds light on the commercial relationship between two countries with a similar culture, during a period of crisis, countries that are located in two different political and ideological blocs.

Technology Prospection of Ora-pro-Nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.): A Non-conventional Food Plant.

The ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is a plant from Brazilian biodiversity used for food and medicinal purposes. It has ample technological potential, however, it is still underutilized, being classified as a Non-Conventional Food Plant (PANC). Prospective studies in intellectual property banks make it possible to expand perspectives for scientific research, enhancing the generation of new products. Evaluate the patents of products containing Pereskia aculeata Mill. for the areas of food and health in intellectual property databases. The study was conducted through structured prospective investigation (collection, processing and analysis) in 4 patent databases: National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) - Brazil, United States Patent and Trademark Office, World Trade Organization Intellectual Property (WIPO) and Espacenet. The evaluation showed a reduced number of registered patents. In general, 8 patent applications were examined, of which 7 are directly associated with the species (and its derivatives) and 1 is related to a device specially designed for harvesting leaves/fruits and removing thorns. The focus of the patents was the use of the species in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnological areas, with emphasis on the use of the leaves in the extraction of mucilage and proteins. This study showed that Pereskia aculeata Mill. is a technologically promising plant, because of its nutritional and medicinal composition, and it is important to encourage innovation and the development of new products with the species.

Процессуальность и относительность как аспекты методологии исследования национальной конкурентоспособности

In the discourse surrounding national competitiveness, there exists a need for a comprehensive methodology that transcends conventional approaches. This article proposes an authorial methodology for studying issues of national competitiveness, based on the analysis of criticism directed towards the productivity-based approach and the factor-based approach to assessing national competitiveness. The methodology delineates two aspects: procedural and relative, each characterizing distinct dimensions of a state’s competitive standing in the global economic landscape. The procedural aspect pertains to the degree of state involvement and its role in global economic processes, while the relative aspect is associated with a state's capacity to convert internal and attracted resources into tangible achievements within the structure of the global economy and world trade. Despite potential discrepancies between the two aspects, they are deeply interrelated, forming a cohesive framework for understanding and assessing national competitiveness. In conclusion, this article underscores the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to studying national competitiveness. By recognizing the procedural and relative dimensions, researchers can gain deeper insights into the complexities of global economic dynamics and inform policy decisions accordingly. Future research endeavors should explore empirical applications of the proposed methodology across diverse national contexts. Additionally, comparative studies could shed light on the differential impacts of procedural and relative factors on national competitiveness outcomes.

Face Mask Recognition-based Door Lock Mechanism Using HaarCascade, Mediapipe, and Arduino

On 12 January 2020 Chinese authorities shared the sequence of a novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since then COVID-19 pandemic had rapidly affected our day-to-day life disrupting world trade and movements. Wearing face masks is one of the preventive measures recommended by health authorities to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets containing viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. Therefore, Many regions and organizations have implemented regulations or guidelines mandating the use of face masks in specific settings. This Python-based Machine Learning project provides an automated way to monitor whether individuals in a given environment are wearing masks or not. Pre-trained Haar Cascade files are used to detect the facial features and provide a signal to the Arduino controller to lock/unlock the door. Keywords — Python, Face Mask, Door Lock, Haar Cascade, Covid-19

Personality Change Across Four Years in World Trade Center Responders

The present study investigated personality change over the course of a four-year longitudinal study in N = 452 older adults who responded to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center ( Mage = 55 years, SD = 0.41). This sample provides the rare opportunity to compare normative findings of personality change with change in a unique group with a common trauma. Participants completed the Faceted Inventory of the Five-Factor Model and the Big Five Inventory-2 across four years. Latent growth modeling showed significant mean-level decreases in Openness and Extraversion. At the facet-level, significant decreases were found for Aesthetic Sensitivity, Creative Imagination, Intellectual Curiosity, Anxiety, Anger Proneness, Positive Temperament, Venturesomeness, Ascendence, Empathy, and Achievement Striving. Further, responders showed variability in change—in particular, for Neuroticism and its facets. Regressions from exposure level and age on personality change were also examined. Results highlight the importance of facet-level analysis, as significant change was found only for certain facets within domains—sometimes when the domains showed no change. Differences between responders and normative comparisons were examined. Responders share unique trauma and personality findings may allow clinically useful information on the mental-health problems that responders experience.

Effect of Inflation on Kenya’s Maize Production and Food Security

The aim of this project was to examine the major determinants of Kenya's maize production. These objectives were actualized by evaluating the role of government policies on Kenya’s maize production for food security between 1992 and 2022 and examining the relationship between inflation and maize production for food security in Kenya between 1992 and 2022. The food availability decline theory would be instrumental in guiding this study. Time-series secondary data from the World Bank, FAOSTAT, and World Trade Organization (WTO) for the relevant period 1990–2022 was used to do this. Using a correlation research design, the econometric analysis of the time-series data revealed that inflation, unemployment, and eventually gross domestic GDP determined maize production. In the near term, the findings demonstrated that the exchange rate, one period's lag in the exchange rate, and the amount and quantity of maize imports all influence maize production. The results imply that in order to lessen the over-reliance on maize production, macroeconomic conditions should be effectively managed to improve domestic maize production, deter a spike in imports of the grain, and enhance food security in the nation.

Kebijakan Perdagangan Uni Eropa terhadap Produk Logam Dasar

Trade relations between the European Union and China experienced rapid growth during the first two decades of the 21st century. The increase in trade relations is in line with the implementation of EU trade barriers through anti-dumping investigation reports at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Chinese products. In the period 2001 – 2022, Chinese base metal products became the commodity with the most reported cases in antidumping investigations carried out by the EU at the WTO. However, in the same period, the value of imports of basic metal products to the European Union was lower compared to the value of imports of other products such as electricity & equipment as well as machine products, nuclear reactors and boilers. This article aims to explain the reasons behind the European Union's stance in making Chinese base metal products the most common commodity in antidumping investigation reports at the WTO. This article uses Alan Bryman's qualitative method, and the neoclassical realism theory proposed by Gideon Rose to analyze European Union policy towards Chinese Base Metal Products. The application of systemic pressure variables in neoclassical realism theory influences the European Union's position in the international system as an external factor, while there are other variables, in this case internal factors, which also influence the European Union's strategic trade policy-making process through the European Commission. The findings of this article show that China's dominance in world metals consumption and production since the early 2000s, especially in the 2013 – 2017 period, triggered the European Commission's perception that the European base metals industry was experiencing a decline in competitiveness and needed protection. In the 2013-2017 period, China's contribution to the world base metals market increased by 13% compared to 8% in the previous decade. On the other hand, the European Commission has maximized its influence in mobilizing national forces as outlined in the resolution document 2017/C399/12 to build a sustainable base metals industry. The European Union's trade policy in making Chinese base metal products the highest case report in antidumping investigations at the WTO over the last two decades, was driven by the European Commission, as the trade policy formulation unit in the European Union, to respond to systemic challenges in the global base metals market.

The impact of government support on port industry competitiveness: A qualitative exploration

Focusing on Shanghai Port, this in-depth study explores how government support can make port organizations more competitive. This study shall implement qualitative analysis based on in-depth interviews with key industry and government leaders to break down the complicated actions taken by the government and how they have changed the operational and strategic skills of the port industry. Seven factors were found in our study to be the most crucial support factors: Financial, regulatory, infrastructure growth, talent, market, policy, and organizational support. In their ways, each of these groups undermines the ability of port businesses to compete. For instance, finance can make ports more competitive in aspects such as tax cuts, lower interest rates, innovation and R&D funds, financing programs, venture capital funds, and putting up R&D sites. Supporting regulations makes sure that there is fair competition and smooth operations. This is done by protecting intellectual property, keeping the market going smoothly, improving the business environment, and monitoring market regulations. Building new infrastructure, such as innovation and updated buildings, enables the smooth running of the port businesses and minimizes wastage of time; thus, more time is spent on production. Supporting talent, the market, and policy all work together to make the human capital, international cooperation, and strategic regulatory framework that a company needs to stay ahead in the long run. It is clear from organizational support how important collaborative networks are for making ports more competitive. These networks, for instance, can be of assistance in helping schools and businesses work together, create new technologies, and find ways for companies and colleges to study together. This study examines these support systems to determine where the government should step in and how the systems can be made better to make ports more competitive. In terms of practical contribution, this in-depth study helps policymakers and port workers plan for the future. This study shows a fair way for the government to support the port business, which changes with its needs and stays competitive in the world of trade.

Challenges Faced by China s International Intellectual Property Protection in the Context of Globalization and Countermeasures

With the spread of economic globalization, knowledge economy has become the latest economic situation, intellectual property rights began to attract the attention of all countries in the world. Since China s accession to the World Trade Organization, more and more foreign trade activities, which has also promoted the improvement of our comprehensive national strength to a certain extent. The international protection of intellectual property rights is of great significance on a global scale, which is related to a country s innovation ability and competitiveness, and more importantly, to the stability and prosperity of the global economic order. Based on this, this paper studies the issues related to the international protection of intellectual property.