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Logistic reforms vital to tap region’s trade opportunities: President

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President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday said to fully tap the trading opportunities offered by increasing regional integration, Pakistan needed to reform its logistic infrastructure besides developing human resource.

“The regional countries are eager to transport their goods to Gwadar port, and hence Pakistan needs to put in place a smooth supply-chain system at the earliest,” he said in his address here at the First Multimodal Logistics Conference 2022.

President Alvi mentioned that Uzbekistan had shown keen interest in transporting its commodities through Pakistan, while Turkmenistan and Iran were interested in the supply of natural gas.

In this regard, he said an efficient cargo system in Pakistan was vital to substantially improve the supply-chain system, thus benefiting both the producer and consumer countries.

“Pakistan has immense opportunities knocking at its doorstep and we need to take advantage with the implementation of a multimodal logistic strategy,” he said.

He mentioned that the government had done a splendid job in improving the farming, industry, and textile sectors during the pandemic, however, mentioned the need for a smooth supply chain system.  

To bridge gaps between the manufacturer and consumer, he said, the policies needed to be formulated in consultation with government functionaries and the private sector.

President Alvi said getting adjusted to changing trends, overcoming supply chain disruptions, and relying on two or more modes of transportation could substantially improve the logistics system.

He said multimodal transportation required more communication and collaboration and emphasized training the country’s huge youth bulge into a productive human resource to achieve the goals.

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Dr Ishrat Hussain, former Adviser to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity said inefficiency of the supply chain could be overcome through the implementation of reforms in institutions.

He mentioned that the reforms carried out in Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Railways, and National Highway Authority were aimed at the improvement of consumer services.

To improve the efficiency of public organizations, he said it was important for the ministries to work on policies only, while the regulatory bodies could function autonomously.

He stressed a level-playing field for all stakeholders including the private sector relating to the supply chain to benefit the consumer.

Vice President Manzil Pakistan Asim Siddiqi said the non-governmental organization had been assisting the government and policy-makers on laws relating to the country’s maritime and freight potential. 

He said Pakistan eagerly needed a change in multimodal logistics in view of the growing demand such as regional connectivity and the projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor. 

Analysis

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai Criticizes China for Filing WTO Complaint Regarding Electric Vehicle (EV) Subsidies

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US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has denounced China for filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. Tai has accused China of using “unfair, non-market policies and practices to undermine fair competition and pursue the dominance of the PRC’s manufacturers.” Beijing has objected to a US law that it says provides “discriminatory” subsidies for EVs.

Katherine Tai speaks out against China's WTO complaint on EV subsidies

Tai’s remarks come as tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, with both countries accusing each other of unfair trade practices. The US has previously accused China of stealing intellectual property and engaging in forced technology transfers, while China has accused the US of unfairly targeting its companies with sanctions and export controls.

The dispute over EV subsidies is just the latest in a series of trade disputes between the two countries, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved. However, Tai’s strong words suggest that the US is prepared to take a tough stance against China’s trade practices, and that the dispute is unlikely to be resolved quickly or easily.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s Statement

Katherine Tai condemns China's WTO complaint on EV subsidies

Denouncement of China’s WTO Complaint

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has denounced China for filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over what it calls “discriminatory” subsidies for electric vehicles in the United States. Tai stated that “China continues to use unfair, non-market policies and practices to undermine fair competition and pursue the dominance of the PRC’s manufacturers”.

Tai’s statement comes after China filed a complaint with the WTO on March 22, 2024, alleging that a US law provides “discriminatory” subsidies for electric vehicles. The law in question, the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, provides a tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle. China argues that this tax credit is only available to US-made electric vehicles, and therefore discriminates against foreign-made electric vehicles, including those made in China.

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Criticism of China’s Non-Market Policies

Tai’s statement also criticized China’s non-market policies, which she says are designed to give Chinese companies an unfair advantage in the global marketplace. These policies include subsidies for domestic companies, restrictions on foreign investment, and intellectual property theft.

Tai’s denouncement of China’s WTO complaint is the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration to confront China on trade issues. The administration has also taken steps to address China’s human rights abuses, including sanctions on Chinese officials and companies involved in the repression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province.

Overall, Tai’s statement reflects the US government’s commitment to fair competition and a level playing field for all companies, regardless of their country of origin.

China’s Objections to US EV Subsidies

US Trade Rep denounces China's WTO complaint over EV subsidies

Allegations of Discriminatory US Law

China has accused the US of providing “discriminatory” subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) through a tax credit system that only applies to domestically produced vehicles. The US law in question, known as the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, provides a tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new EV. However, the credit is only available for EVs produced by manufacturers that have not yet sold 200,000 qualifying vehicles in the US. This has led to accusations that the law unfairly benefits US automakers, while discriminating against foreign manufacturers such as those from China.

China’s WTO Complaint Filing

China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the US law, arguing that it violates WTO rules by providing “discriminatory subsidies” to US automakers. In response, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has denounced China’s complaint, stating that “China continues to use unfair, non-market policies and practices to undermine fair competition and pursue the dominance of the PRC’s manufacturers.” Tai has also accused China of “continuing to use unfair trade practices to gain an unfair advantage in the global marketplace.”

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The US has countered China’s complaint by arguing that the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit is not discriminatory, as it applies equally to all automakers that meet the eligibility criteria. The US has also argued that the tax credit is intended to promote the adoption of EVs in the US, and is therefore consistent with WTO rules that allow for certain types of subsidies to promote environmental protection.

Overall, the dispute between the US and China over EV subsidies highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries over trade policy, and the challenges of balancing domestic priorities with international trade obligations.

Implications for US-China Trade Relations

US Trade Rep denounces China over WTO complaint on EV subsidies

The recent filing of a WTO complaint by China over US subsidies for electric vehicles has the potential to further strain the already tense trade relations between the two nations. The US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, has denounced China’s actions, stating that they are using “unfair, non-market policies and practices to undermine fair competition and pursue the dominance of the PRC’s manufacturers”.

This latest development is not the first time that the US and China have been at odds over trade policies. The two nations have been engaged in a trade war since 2018, with each imposing tariffs on the other’s goods. The dispute has had far-reaching effects, with both nations suffering economic losses as a result.

The filing of the WTO complaint by China is likely to escalate tensions even further. The complaint alleges that a US law providing subsidies for electric vehicles is discriminatory, and violates WTO rules. The US has denied these allegations, and has stated that the subsidies are intended to promote the use of electric vehicles, and are not discriminatory in any way.

The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, but it is clear that it will have significant implications for US-China trade relations. If the WTO rules in China’s favor, it could lead to further trade restrictions and tariffs being imposed by the US. On the other hand, if the US is successful in defending its subsidies, it could embolden the nation to continue its current trade policies, further straining relations with China.

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