Global plastic treaty hits standstill amid disagreement over finance
'The EU is ready to do a deal but not at any cost,' said Roswall. 'We do like plastic and we will continue to need it. However, we don't like plastic pollution, and it's time to end plastic pollution as quickly as possible.'Last week, the US team urged countries to reject the plastic production treaty, echoing President Donald Trump's sentiments around the treaty. Meanwhile, oil-producing countries focus on reducing plastic waste, as they believe cutting plastic production can lead to disruptions in trade.While echoing the LMCs in plastic waste management rather than cutting plastic production, India voiced its concern regarding the economic harm cutting plastic production could cause. It emphasised building programmes for behavioural change to eradicate littering.But the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in its plastic report that plastic production could triple by 2060, with the current pace of demand and use. DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY PLASTICSAccording to the OECD's plastic report, plastic waste is projected to almost triple by 2060, with half of all plastic waste still being landfilled and less than a fifth recycled.With primary plastics continuing to dominate the feedstock, recycled ones will make up 12% of all plastics by 2060, even though they grow more quickly than primary plastics.The environmental impacts of plastic waste are huge. The build-up of plastic waste in aquatic environments is going to triple by 2060, with 44 million tonnes being leaked into the environment by then.Emissions from plastic production and waste are increasing global greenhouse gas emissions. Plastics cause 3.4% of global greenhouse emissions, which is higher than the aviation sector.To tackle the disruptions caused to health and the environment, the treaty should go beyond voluntary commitments and should focus on waste management and production cuts.As the Geneva talks reach the final date, the challenge now remains whether the countries can bridge these gaps or not.- EndsMust Watch
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Resisting the coercive new global trade order
How should India respond to the challenges posed by the US tariffs of 50%? Some believe that this crisis presents an opportunity for India to implement deeper economic reforms aimed at enhancing the overall competitiveness of its economy. Others argue that India should intensify its efforts to integrate with non-American economies, such as the EU. Trump has inaugurated a new chapter in the global imperial project, which his successor may continue. Efforts are underway to establish new rules for international trade. (Bloomberg) While these measures are undoubtedly necessary, many Indian analysts overlook a larger issue — the new ideological contestation on the global stage aimed at reshaping international law norms governing world trade. Many believe that US President Donald Trump has upended the rule-based international trading order established by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). However, there is a prevailing belief that this disruption is temporary. Once Trump leaves office, the status quo would be restored. This view, however, is overly sanguine. There appears to be a bipartisan consensus among both Republicans and Democrats in the US regarding the substance of Trump's actions, even though they may differ in their approach. The Biden administration did little to revive the moribund WTO during its term from 2020 to 2024. Trump has inaugurated a new chapter in the global imperial project, which his successor may continue. Efforts are underway to establish new rules for international trade. This was made clear by ambassador Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative. Greer posits that the US has initiated a new 'Trump round' of trade negotiations that, unlike previous rounds at the GATT and WTO, will not rely on consensus-based decision-making. The key elements of this new global trade order include legitimising American coercion for deeper market access, establishing stronger links between trade and non-trade issues like labour, and, most importantly, implementing unilateral enforcement by the US, as opposed to the apolitical dispute settlement system employed by the WTO. If these rules of coercive capitalism become codified as a new international trade order, it could be disastrous for countries in the Global South, including India. Therefore, it is essential to engage in an ideological battle on the global stage against the radical American populist right. It is crucial to understand the intriguing relationship between imperialism and international law. The mainstream belief has been that there is a clear distinction between the imperial past and modern international law. The former is often viewed as a historical anomaly, while the latter is promoted as universal and liberal, representing a narrative of decolonisation and development. However, critical international lawyers argue that international law never severed its ties with its imperial and colonial history. Genealogy, they argue, plays a crucial role in shaping international law norms. Therefore, the expansion of capitalism has played a pivotal role in the growth of international law. As India's foremost international lawyer, B S Chimni, argues, akin to the 'spirit of capitalism' — capitalism's ability to reinvent itself in different phases — there is also a 'spirit of international law'. This spirit allows international law to evolve continually, ably disguising imperial ambitions within the narrative of progress. On one hand, international law presents itself as a universal tool that promotes the global common good and aims to establish a just world order. On the other hand, it also reinforces the imperial agendas of the Global North. The evolution of the multilateral trade order from the establishment of GATT in 1948 to the formation of the WTO in 1995 and beyond reflects the 'spirit of international law.' This rule-based international trade system, influenced by the assertiveness of the decolonised world, made several concessions to developing countries by recognising principles such as non-discrimination, special and differential treatment, preferential market access, and a depoliticized dispute settlement system that aims to resolve trade disputes without resorting to coercive trade diplomacy. Simultaneously, international trade law has promoted and exported American and European norms, leading to their universal adoption. A notable example is the treatment of intellectual property rights (IPR). Economist Robert Reich argues that private property is a fundamental element of the Western capitalist model based on free markets. Over time, the rules governing the protection of private property have expanded to include new types of property, such as IPR. International trade law has played a vital role in establishing binding rules for the global enforcement of IPR through the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement within the WTO. This framework primarily benefits the corporate interests of countries in the Global North, often at the expense of those in the Global South. Another significant example is agricultural trade. The US and the EU provide substantial subsidies to their agricultural sectors. They managed to include an Agreement on Agriculture in the WTO rulebook, allowing them to continue offering significant subsidies to their farmers. Despite its weaknesses, the WTO systemoffers a platform for deeper engagement and the possibility of reform. It provides an opportunity to mainstream the development argument and hold the Global North accountable in a depoliticised international court. The consensus-based decision-making process has mostly prevented the adoption of rules inimical to the developing world. However, the emerging global trade order appears to be unabashedly imperial, abandoning any pretensions of development and equity and sacrificing the spirit of international law. It unapologetically aims to legitimise unilateralism and coercion, validating the connection between imperialism and international law that critical international lawyers draw. Consequently, the Global South, particularly India, must engage in an ideological battle to defend the existing order. For India, the stakes extend beyond mere market access or a trade deal with the US. India must be at the vanguard in defending the WTO-based international trade system, which, while not perfect, is certainly preferable to the impending new imperial trade order. Prabhash Ranjan is professor and vice-dean (research), Jindal Global Law School, OP Jindal Global University. The views expressed are personal.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Experts Call for Cross Sector, International Collaboration and Tech led Tracking and Enforcement to Curb Illicit Tobacco trade
At the recent summit held in Manila, 'Combatting Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia: Cross-border and Cross-Sector Strategies for Tackling the Threat', experts from Southeast Asia underscored the escalating threat of illicit tobacco trade — a challenge undermining public health systems and draining government revenues in India and Southeast Asia. Fueled by affordability gaps, tax disparities, and weak enforcement, the illegal tobacco market is expanding rapidly. Globally, an estimated 500 billion illicit cigarettes are consumed annually, representing 14–15% of total tobacco use. These products evade taxation and quality control, resulting in significant fiscal losses and heightened health risks. Jericho Nograles, President, Philippine Tobacco Institute, highlighted how the scale of the problem is growing 'In the Philippines, one in five cigarettes is illicit, with a sharp rise seen post-pandemic. Yet governments often avoid discussing the issue, sometimes due to embarrassment. Legal exports can end up fueling illicit imports elsewhere so we need to normalise honest policy dialogue about the existence of illicit trade, if we want real solutions.' On the sidelines of the event, Rodney Van Dooren, Head of Illicit Trade Prevention, Philip Morris International said, 'Illicit tobacco is not just an economic concern but also a health hazard. Counterfeit cigarettes have been found to contain up to 160% more tar and 133% more carbon monoxide than regulated products. In India, where about 120 million people smoke cigarettes, nearly one in four is illicit. Industry estimates suggest this translates into annual excise losses of ₹12,000–13,000 crore (USD 1.5–1.6 billion). 'Illicit tobacco trade in India, and globally, requires a multifaceted approach: balancing regulatory oversight with consumer realities, leveraging technology alongside G2G cooperation with source and transit countries, and stronger enforcement mechanisms The path forward is not just about limiting supply but about understanding demand and building systems that address both,' he added. The affordability of these unregulated products, particularly in low-income and border regions, drives sustained demand. In some cases, the absence or prohibition of regulated, less harmful alternatives has inadvertently pushed consumers toward black-market products. Regional dynamics further complicate enforcement. Illicit products often originate legally in one jurisdiction before being smuggled into others. Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, called for a pragmatic reassessment of current fiscal and enforcement strategies, 'Excessive and complex taxation structures create profit margins that make smuggling highly attractive. If we don't have the right IP laws in place, and we don't have the right enforcement in place, that encourages illicit traders. Enforcement is also limited by resources and low penalties, which means there's little deterrent for those involved in these businesses.' Experts agreed that a coordinated approach — including tax rationalisation, cross-border regulatory harmonisation, and technology-led tracking and enforcement — is vital. Without urgent reforms, the illicit tobacco trade is set to continue eroding public health gains and economic stability in the region.
First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
Trump Threatens More Tariffs on India if Putin Talks Fail Vantage with Palki Sharma
Trump Threatens More Tariffs on India if Putin Talks Fail | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G As Donald Trump prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, his team is linking India's economic fate to the outcome. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that if there is no breakthrough on Ukraine, Washington will impose higher 'secondary tariffs' on India for its Russian oil purchases — and he wants the European Union to do the same. While Trump claims these measures pressure Moscow, India–Russia ties are actually deepening, with new industrial agreements, high-level visits, and plans for President Putin to visit India this year. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is headed to Russia next week to prepare. Instead of isolating Moscow, Trump's tariff threats may be driving New Delhi and Moscow closer together. See More
