Trade Policy in a Nutshell

wednesday 18 october 2023

This one-day course offers a broad overview of major trade policy topics, including the WTO and free trade agreements; market access and subsidies; trade remedies and trade disputes; services and international investment issues, and digital trade.  It also gives a fascinating snapshot of major global trends such as globalisation, sustainability and the digitalisation of trade.  The emphasis throughout is on discussion and developing the practical tools to understand and engage on international trade issues more effectively. 

What to expect

This course will give participants a broad overview of major trade policy issues, including the WTO and free trade agreements as well as offering a fascinating snapshot of major global trends such as globalisation, sustainability and development, global value chains and the digital economy.   The course will look at the major rules applying to market access, subsidies, non-tariff barriers and services.    The emphasis will be on discussion and practical tools to understand trade better. 

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Stephanie Honey draws on long experience in the public and private sectors, including serving as New Zealand’s Agriculture Negotiator in the WTO Doha Round, senior official for the Australia relationship and a posting in Brussels and a stint as the International Trade Policy Manager at Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Stephanie is currently the Lead Staffer (policy advisor) to the New Zealand members of the APEC Business Advisory Council and is sought after internationally as a commentator and speaker on trade. Governance roles include serving on the Board of the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority and the Advisory Board of the Centres for Asia-Pacific Excellence, and previously on the Executive Board of the TradeExperettes, a global network of women trade experts.   Stephanie’s interests include digital and services trade, regional economic integration, WTO, agriculture and food, and global issues such as non-tariff barriers and inclusion in trade, especially for women entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

Sarah Paterson led Fonterra’s Trade Strategy team and spent four years based in Europe for Fonterra covering European dairy policy and multilateral trade and economic matters, including the Doha Round. Sarah also led trade strategy for Meat & Wool NZ.  She was a senior legal adviser in MFAT prior to her industry roles, and worked on a number of major WTO agricultural disputes as well as the feasibility study for the NZ-China FTA.  With over 20 years’ experience working in government and industry, Sarah has a thorough knowledge of the legal, policy and political issues related to international relations, and agricultural policy, as well as the commercial and business impacts of trade policy for two of New Zealand’s most significant export sectors.