Event bg

New York City,
United States

World Trade Symposium 2019

Open Trade In An Uncertain World

Programmed By

Hosted By

Summary

Open Trade In An Uncertain World

  • Geopolitics, Multilateralism and Trade
  • Digital Transformation of Global Trade
Executive Summary

Agenda

Can policy, technology and innovation boost trade and prosperity?

Global trade is in a state of upheaval, driven by protectionism, ever-increasing regulations and outdated trading systems. Technology is disrupting trade like never before, making processes more efficient and inclusive, breaking down barriers and opening new markets. These present new challenges—and new opportunities.

The World Trade Symposium will convene business leaders, technology innovators, policymakers, thought leaders and economists to analyse these issues and suggest solutions and outcomes. What is needed to drive open trade for the benefit of all involved?

Sessions will take a deep dive into the new technologies and platforms that are opening up trade and identify the opportunities presented by changing trends, as well as exploring how shifting consumer priorities are affecting the sustainability agenda. Attendees won’t just be debating key issues and swapping their stories, but will explore new ideas and solutions.

Conference chair
Soumaya Keynes, trade and globalisation editor, The Economist

Moderators
Vijay Vaitheeswaran, US business editor, The Economist
Christopher Clague, managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation, The Economist Intelligence Unit
 

Wednesday 6th November

10:00
10:45
MST

Registration and networking lunch

10:45
10:55
MST

Welcome from Finastra

Simon Paris
Simon Paris
CEO of Finastra and Chair of the World Trade Board
10:55
11:05
MST

Chair’s opening remarks

11:05
11:25
MST

Interview: Reshaping trade patterns

Trade and manufacturing policy of the US in the light of trade war.

Moderator:

Speaker:

Peter Navarro
Peter Navarro
Director
Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy (OTMP)
11:25
12:10
MST

Opening plenary: Trade on a knife edge

Is “slowbalisation” inevitable? This session will identify the most important opportunities and risks for global trade. How much scope is there for geopolitical tensions to chill trade? And how is industry harnessing technology to drive innovation and collaboration in finance and investment? How will the key trade trends for 2020 and beyond affect lives around the world?

Moderator:

Speakers:

Tectonic shifts

12:10
12:45
MST

The Trump effect—assessing the impact of the US president’s policies on global trade

To what extent have President Donald Trump’s trade policies affected trade flows? How permanent will their effects be? How are companies and governments adapting to find fresh opportunities in the new landscape?

Moderator:

Christopher Clague
Christopher Clague
Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Speakers:

Chad Bown
Chad Bown
Senior Fellow
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Susan Ariel Aaronson
Susan Ariel Aaronson
Research Professor of International Affairs & Director of the Digital Trade & Data Governance Hub
12:45
13:05
MST

Interview: China and the world—a changing relationship?

After years of expectations that China’s markets are opening up, relations between the world’s second-biggest economy and the West have taken a new turn, with some countries adopting a tougher stance. Where will Sino-foreign relationships go from here? Are the recent tensions a blip, or do they herald a new, more combative era? How can companies and service-providers navigate this new landscape to deliver for clients, regardless of geopolitical changes? How will China’s latest iteration of its Belt and Road Initiative impact global trade?

Interviewer:

Speaker:

13:05
13:30
MST

Networking break

13:30
14:10
MST

Bridging the new networks of trade

Open platforms and digital islands: how and where is technology closing the gap between physical and financial supply chains? How are new technologies along the trade value chain—such as digital trade finance, open APIs, the internet of things, artificial intelligence and distributed ledgers—improving efficiencies and driving change? What problems is technology struggling to solve, where are the barriers to adoption, and what is being done to address them?

Moderator:

Christopher Clague
Christopher Clague
Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Speakers:

14:10
14:40
MST

Who cares about the consumer?

Changing societal attitudes, growing concerns about climate change, and the rise of socially conscious investing have focused a spotlight on sustainability in trade. What examples are there of genuine progress in trade practices? How can the trade ecosystem drive greater inclusivity and equality, make trade fairer, and even save our planet? Where are the biggest gaps that need to be closed, and are we acting fast enough?

Moderator:

Christopher Clague
Christopher Clague
Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Speakers:

14:40
15:10
MST

The World If…

This interactive session offers our audience the opportunity to challenge our panellists about global trade. Each member of our panel of provocateurs will give a brief overview of a global trade scenario for 2030, and the audience will be asked to vote on the likelihood of these scenarios and offer their own perspectives.

Moderator:

Speakers:

15:10
15:15
MST

Closing remarks

15:15
MST

Drinks reception

Thursday 7th November

06:00
07:00
MST

Refreshments and morning networking

07:00
07:10
MST

Opening remarks

Trade digitisation and decentralisation

07:10
07:55
MST

Panel discussion: The future of digital platforms for open trade

New technologies are transforming the end-to-end trade lifecycle, from production to finance and logistics. What digital technologies are having the greatest impact, and how will they continue to be adopted? When will we see a universal trade network? How are banking platforms harnessing new trade technologies, and how ready are corporates, logistics-providers and governments to capitalise on the opportunity?

Moderator:

Speakers:

Ziyang Fan
Ziyang Fan
Head of Digital Trade
World Economic Forum
07:55
08:35
MST

Roundtable discussions: Digital trade standards

Attendees will join roundtables for structured discussions on:

  • New models for trade risk distribution: technologies changing risk distribution in trade
  • Solving the interoperability issue in new trade distributed-ledger technology networks
  • Digitisation in action: providers highlight different digitisation solutions
08:35
09:05
MST

Networking break

Digital standards enabling open trade

09:05
09:25
MST

In conversation: Trade in the era of policy uncertainty and new technologies

Is there still a development path through trade and global values in light of trade policy uncertainty and new technologies? Although trade bounced back after the global financial crisis of 2008, the high growth rates of the 1990s and 2000s have remained elusive. There are many reasons for this shift, but one is that trade reform has languished and in some cases is even being reversed. There is also a potential threat from new technologies, like automation and 3D printing, that could replace trade with domestic production. Going forward, what policies are most important for countries to pursue trade and growth? How can countries cooperate more closely in traditional areas, like tariffs and subsidies? Does cooperation need to move into new areas like e-commerce and data protection?

Interviewer:

Christopher Clague
Christopher Clague
Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Interviewee:

Caroline Freund
Caroline Freund
Global Director of Trade, Investment and Competitiveness
World Bank
09:25
10:00
MST

Strategy sessions on showcasing solutions: Implementing standards for the benefit of trade

The attendees will exchange their perspectives on the biggest hurdles facing companies when implementing effective data policies. How does the global regulatory landscape impact businesses operating across regions? Topics for discussion will include:

  • Digital standards – new standards for trade finance
  • Universal interoperability – how to prevent new digital islands as new networks emerge
  • Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals into corporate trade policy

Moderator:

Speakers:

10:00
11:15
MST

Networking lunch

Inclusive and sustainable trade

11:15
11:45
MST

In conversation: Case studies on trade for good—spotlight on success

Our speakers will discuss the progress the region has had with trade integration between different countries.

Moderator:

Speaker:

Randall Chafetz
Randall Chafetz
Managing Executive Officer, Global Corporate & Investment Banking
MUFG Bank Ltd.
11:45
12:05
MST

In conversation: Tackling illicit trade—strategies for success

How is technology tackling the challenge of establishing trade provenance in complex supply chains, and how will this reassure consumers about the sustainability of the products? How can public- and private-sector stakeholders collaborate to stamp out illegal trade practices and combat the risk of malicious actors using new technologies for ill? What are some case studies of success in fighting illicit trade?

Moderator:

Christopher Clague
Christopher Clague
Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit

Speaker:

12:05
12:50
MST

Roundtables: Open, sustainable and inclusive trade initiatives in action

Global trade faces a number of challenges – in this session attendees will debate the details, share their expertise and have their say on the key topics of the day. The audience will divide into roundtables and develop collaborative ideas and proposals. Work with peers on your current table, or move onto a table which is debating your preferred topic.

12:50
13:20
MST

Networking break

The road forward

13:20
14:05
MST

The Economist debates: This house believes the death of free trade will be good for Americans

Two debaters battle to win over the audience. The rise of protectionism and economic nationalism in recent years has thrown a spanner in the works of the globalist, free-market project. Is the dream of frictionless global trade dead? The audience will be polled before and after the debate to see how opinions change.

Moderator:

Speakers:

Kevin Klowden
Kevin Klowden
Executive Director
Milken Institute’s Centre for Regional Economics & California Center
Dr. Greg Autry
Dr. Greg Autry
Asst. clinical professor
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
14:05
14:45
MST

In the round: Global business in an unstable world

This dynamic closing session will showcase a range of decision-makers and influential voices as they debate how to navigate an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical environment. What are the key solutions that attendees can take back to their businesses? Is chaos the new normal?

Moderator:

Speakers:

Elliot Harris
Elliot Harris
Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development & Chief Economist UN
14:45
14:55
MST

Economist wrap up

14:55
15:00
MST

Closing remarks from Finastra

Simon Paris
Simon Paris
CEO of Finastra and Chair of the World Trade Board
15:00
MST

Close of conference

Speakers

Chad Bown

Chad Bown

Senior Fellow
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Randall Chafetz

Randall Chafetz

Managing Executive Officer, Global Corporate & Investment Banking
MUFG Bank Ltd.
Elliot Harris

Elliot Harris

Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development & Chief Economist UN
Kevin Klowden

Kevin Klowden

Executive Director
Milken Institute’s Centre for Regional Economics & California Center
Christopher Clague

Christopher Clague

Managing editor, Asia and global editorial lead, trade and globalisation
The Economist Intelligence Unit
Susan Ariel Aaronson

Susan Ariel Aaronson

Research Professor of International Affairs & Director of the Digital Trade & Data Governance Hub
Dr. Greg Autry

Dr. Greg Autry

Asst. clinical professor
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Footage

Venue

Grand Hyatt

At the heart of one of the most thriving cities in the world, the Grand Hyatt is the only hotel to be connected to historical Grand Terminal. Just outside of its doors, the famed 42nd avenue is brimming with theatrical shows, culturally enriched dining and cosmopolitan shopping. Nearby, there are world renowned skyscrapers like the Chrysler and Metlife buildings and the New York Public Library with its neighbouring park, Bryant Park.

Grand Hyatt

Booking a room

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/new-york/grand-hyatt-new-york/nycgh/rooms

Getting there

109 East 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal
New York, New York, United States, 10017

Airports
From JFK: 44 minutes by car (15.8 miles)
1 hour and 7 minutes by subway (from the E to Lexington-53rd St to the 7 to Grand Central 42nd St)

From Newark: 49 minutes by car (17.1 miles)
1 hour and 3 minutes by Newark Airport Express to Grand Central Station

From LaGuardia: 28 minutes by car (8.1 miles)
53 minutes by subway (from the E to Lexington-53rd St to the 6 to Grand Central 42nd St)

Trains & Buses
Nearest: Grand Central Station
Nearest subway stops: 4, 5, 6, 7, S
Nearby bus stops: M1, M2, M3, M4, M101, M102, M103, M42 with various others

Sponsorship

The World Trade Symposium is an opportunity to be part of a unique, 2 – day global forum.

For further information, please contact:

Sanjhi Khanna

Global Director – Business Development
Email: sanjhikhanna@economist.com
Tel: +1 (212) 541 0523

E2open brings together customer, distribution channel, supplier, contract manufacturer and global logistics partner data on a unified, collaborative supply chain platform for optimal planning and execution. Proud sponsor of the drinks reception.

www.e2open.com

Trade Partners

International Trade Council

Established in 1956, the International Trade Council is a peak-body chamber of commerce representing 73 government trade agencies, 418 chambers of commerce and specialist industry organizations and approximately 28,800 corporate members spanning 176 countries. The Council works to provide all levels of business – from new entrepreneurs in emerging markets through to establishing corporations – with access to international trade opportunities via free education programs and mentoring, summits, new market introduction services, international trade missions, market research and advice on how to navigate technical barriers to trade.

British Exporters Association (BExA) is an independent national trade association representing the interests of the export community. The Association is a valued contributor to, and is engaged with, many Government departments and committees to drive UK export policy forward. In addition, BExA provides practical advice to members on all export related matters, and great opportunities for networking with like minded companies to drive exports towards the UK’s export
targets.

www.bexa.co.uk

The United States Council for International Business is an independent business advocacy group that was founded in 1945 to promote free trade and help represent U.S. business in the then-new United Nations.

www.uscib.org

Media Partners

Trade Finance Global (TFG) is the leading trade finance platform. TFG assists companies to access trade and receivables finance facilities through its relationships with 270+ banks, funds and alternative finance houses. TFG’s award winning educational resources serve an audience of 160k+ monthly readers (6.2m+ impressions) in print & digital formats across 187 countries, covering insights, guides, research, magazines, podcasts, tradecasts (webinars) and video.

www.tradefinanceglobal.com

Global Trade’s unique brand of vibrant, logistics journalism addresses the needs of America’s CEOs and executive management who are responsible for charting their company’s growth. Global Trade delivers a breadth of logistics industry content to further strategic decisions of globally minded businesses.

www.globaltrademag.com

Legacy Highlights

World Trade Symposium 2018

London

The Future of Trade is Open

World Trade Symposium 2017

London

Transforming Trade