Demand for critical minerals needs to support a clean energy transition and many other applications will outstrip supply in the coming decade. This will necessitate a pivot to recycling and reusing those critical minerals rather than relying solely on going to the mine for virgin extraction. Traditionally, trade policies focus on first-use products, with rules of origin, and domestic policies on re-use, recycling and re-manufacture actually discouraging trade in previously used products.
Panelists explored how the WTO can help to facilitate reverse supply chains that enhance trade in secondary, used, and reusable goods and materials. Discussants also looked at how the WTO, World Customs Organization, and Basel Agreement can work together on customs nomenclature that supports trade in reusable and recyclable materials rather than simply classifying them as “waste.”
Featured Speakers:
Jason Bernstein, Director of International Trade and Supply Chain, American Chemistry Council
Aik Hoe Lim, Director, Trade and Environment, World Trade Organization
Ana Laura Lizano, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the WTO
Kelly Milton, Assistant USTR for Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Maureen Hinman, Co-Founder and Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator
The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) recently published a position paper on Plastics and Trade. To view the paper on the ICCA website, click here. To read the full paper as a PDF, click here.
WITA also hosted the International Trade Reception in Geneva, Switzerland. This prestigious event connected trade professionals from the WITA community with their international peers attending the 2024 WTO Public Forum.