Brexit – What now?
With Boris Johnston newly appointed as the UK’s Prime Minister, it seems more likely that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019 without a deal, and even if there is a deal, they will not be part…
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Author Archive: Louise McGrath
Having joined Ai Group in 2000, Louise has managed a number of trade-related projects including trade missions, business matching and the development of export-related training programs. Since 2009 she has led Ai Group's service delivery to our smaller associations, providing governance, policy and business development support, and is Executive Officer of the Australia Saudi Business Council and the Australian Russian Dialogue.
Is the complexity of trade rules keeping FTA benefits out of your reach?
With all the noise about tariff wars, free trade agreements and WTO rules, it’s clear that many people don’t actually understand global supply chains and their interactions with the various rules that govern regional and global trade. As with many…
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B20 Tokyo 2019: Ai Group advocates for free and fair trade rules
With Trade Wars between our two largest trading partners, the indecision of Brexit and WTO paralysis, it can feel like Australian businesses are flotsam in a sea of trade uncertainty. Fortunately, Ai Group has a global voice though our membership…
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New rules for out-bound air cargo
The way that air cargo leaving Australia is being screened is changing and it will affect all members who use air freight or are part of the logistics chain. By 1 March 2019, all exports sent overseas by airfreight will…
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Everything you need to know about Trump’s Tariffs
What’s happening? On 9 March, President Trump announced new tariffs for imports of Steel (25%) and Aluminium (10%), using the argument that America’s diminished local steel industry poses a security risk to the United States. This is in response to…
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How would a free trade agreement with Europe help your business?
Once an FTA negotiation has concluded people are suddenly worried about what impact it will have on their business, or what opportunity for change they missed out on. Ai Group has partnered with ANU Centre for European Studies to run…
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Training for success in China’s biggest shopping festival
In the contests around the world that Australia competed in last week, one bronze medal didn’t get much attention in the general media. In the Olympics of online shopping, China’s Singles Day Global Shopping Festival (GMV), Japan won Gold, USA…
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How should Xi Jinping’s latest speech guide your business’s China strategy?
Heaven is high, and the Emperor is far away This is my favourite Chinese saying. It’s particularly useful when trying to placate a frustrated Ai Group member who can’t understand why the import documents she submitted successfully to Customs in…
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RCEP negotiations: “Change is coming and business had better get ready for it”
Reflections on the 19th round of RCEP negotiations Even the most casual observer of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will recognise that there are member economies at very different stages of economic development. This is part of the challenge in…
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Important changes to rules for air cargo going to or through the USA
The US Government has introduced rules that will change the way all Australian Exporters send airfreight to the US. The rules will come into force on July 1 and will not be delayed and cannot be avoided. Currently, most of…
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