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The document analyzes the surging demand for critical minerals driven by the energy transition, the environmental impacts of mining, and the strategic trade policies developing countries can employ to add value to their mineral resources while ensuring climate resilience.

South Africa faces significant trade risks as its carbon-intensive export model clashes with global net zero targets and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs). Approximately 78% of its exports are sold to countries with net zero targets, and hundreds of thousands of jobs are exposed to CBAMs in the EU and UK. High embodied CO2 emissions in the basic metals and automotive sectors, combined with a carbon-intensive electricity grid, threaten competitiveness. However, the document notes South Africa's potential to pivot using its critical minerals and renewable energy resources, provided that international financial commitments like the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) are fulfilled.

South Africa's carbon-intensive export model is increasingly vulnerable as 78% of its exports are sold to countries with net zero targets. The report highlights acute risks in the basic metals, automotive, and agricultural sectors due to high embodied CO2 emissions compared to global competitors. While the EU's CBAM and shifting US trade policies pose immediate threats, South Africa's reserves of critical minerals and renewable energy potential offer a strategic path toward 'carbon competitiveness'. The report argues that success depends on decarbonising the national electricity grid, implementing the Climate Change Act 2024, and securing international support through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Brazil possesses a significant carbon competitiveness advantage due to its renewable-heavy electricity grid, but faces substantial risks from incoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). While 78% of its exports go to net zero-aligned markets, structural contradictions—such as continued fossil fuel exploration and the 'Devastation Bill'—threaten its climate credibility. The economy is heavily dependent on China, and recent unilateral tariffs from the US have introduced significant geopolitical volatility.

China's solar panel exports grew by 34% in the first half of 2023, reaching 114 GW. While manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet 1.5C pathway goals, bottlenecks in installation and grid integration are leading to increased stockpiles, particularly in Europe.

The report examines Australia's exposure to illegally harvested timber, focusing on high-risk supply chains from East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. It highlights the role of China and Vietnam as processing hubs that obscure the origin of timber from high-risk regions like the Congo Basin. The authors argue that current enforcement of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (ILPA) is limited and recommend increased transparency, scientific species testing, and a shift toward tracing timber back to the country of harvest rather than the country of export.

Algeria's trade is heavily dominated by hydrocarbons, which accounted for 94% of exports in 2017. The country faces significant obstacles to industrialisation and diversification due to the influence of politically connected importers and a lack of regional economic integration within the Maghreb. While the European Union remains its primary trading partner, substantial informal trade exists with Tunisia and Mali, driven by tax and subsidy differentials.

The document analyzes the AfCFTA's potential to industrialize Africa and create a market of 1.3 billion consumers. It highlights a decline in Korea-Africa trade since 2011 and suggests that Korea leverage its strengths in capital goods, specifically the automotive and shipping sectors, to integrate into emerging African regional value chains. The authors recommend that Korea pursue formal economic partnership agreements with African regional economic communities, focusing on asymmetric trade liberalization and supporting Africa's green energy transition.

The paper analyzes South Africa's role as a major intra-African investor, noting that while it maintains a significant FDI stock, its relative influence is declining due to increased competition from China and other African nations. It highlights South Africa's function as a regional distribution hub and suggests that the country must deepen trade liberalization and improve public-private coordination to maintain its economic footprint on the continent.

Since 2016, Israel has pursued a vigorous African engagement strategy to secure diplomatic support in international forums and expand markets for its technology and security expertise. While relations are deepening with East African nations like Ethiopia and Kenya due to shared security concerns and commercial opportunities, ties with regional powerhouses Nigeria and South Africa remain complex and often strained by solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Despite high-level diplomatic efforts, including Prime Minister Netanyahu's visits and the proposed Africa-Israel Summit, the document finds that trade between Israel and Africa remains minimal and that winning consistent loyalty in the UN General Assembly remains elusive.

The report argues that SADC countries can reduce processed food trade deficits and mitigate climate change risks by shifting from national industrial policies to regional value chains (RVCs). It identifies a significant opportunity for Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique to replace South Africa's deep-sea soya oilcake imports with regional production. However, it notes that the sugar sector is hindered by protectionist policies and the market power of dominant firms, which keep industrial sugar prices high and stifle downstream confectionery processing. The author proposes practical interventions, including a regional transportation information system to solve 'backhaul' constraints and the harmonisation of quality standards to facilitate intra-regional trade.

The study finds that potential BCAs by the US and EU would capture only a small fraction of China's total exported emissions, though certain energy-intensive sectors like iron and steel would face significant charges. The impact varies greatly depending on whether charges are based on direct or embodied emissions, with embodied emissions resulting in significantly higher costs. Overall, the authors conclude that such measures would have limited impact on incentivizing total carbon reductions as exporters might divert production to other regions.

The United States is the world's largest importer of coral reef-associated species, with a market share of approximately 63% of global imports. Analysis of trade data from 2000 to 2009 reveals a five-fold increase in coral product imports and a steady annual import of roughly 15 million marine tropical fish. The report highlights the prevalence of destructive collection methods, such as cyanide use, and the overexploitation of specific species like the Banggai cardinalfish, seahorses, and giant clams. It argues that the U.S. should leverage its purchasing power to establish sustainability standards and improve data specificity to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.

The research paper examines how shifts in consumer behaviour in high-income countries to reduce GHG emissions—such as buying fewer goods and shifting to services—can disproportionately harm the GDP of lower-income countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) due to their reliance on trade. Using a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model based on the WRAP scenario, the authors find that while such shifts benefit the domestic economy of the consuming country, they can lead to significant GDP losses in poor exporting nations. The paper suggests alternative strategies to align climate mitigation with development goals, such as preferentially sourcing products from low-GHG, low-income regions or improving production efficiency in developing countries.

The document analyzes Nigeria's multifaceted relationships with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, highlighting a pattern where Nigeria leverages its oil and gas resources to secure infrastructural development and technical cooperation. While diplomatic and trade ties are strong—particularly with India and China—the paper notes significant friction regarding the quality of Chinese goods, the treatment of workers by Indian and Chinese employers, and the failure of some BRIC entities to honor infrastructure commitments in exchange for oil blocks. It also details the strategic rivalry among the BRICs to capture Nigeria's market, noting that India's linguistic and historical advantages contrast with China's superior financial muscle.

The document examines the role of medicinal plants and spices in Lao PDR, highlighting the country's significant biodiversity with an estimated 8,000 to 11,000 species. It discusses the economic importance of these resources for rural livelihoods and the challenges posed by over-harvesting, particularly of high-value species like agarwood (Aquilaria spp.). The paper analyzes trade patterns, noting that while some products are exported to markets such as China and Vietnam, there are significant gaps in regulatory enforcement and sustainable management. It emphasizes the need for improved biodiversity conservation, sustainable harvesting practices, and stronger implementation of international agreements like CITES to prevent the depletion of endangered flora.

The document analyzes the wood industry in Lao PDR, highlighting a significant increase in exports from 2000 to 2004 and the resulting pressure on forest resources. It details the transition from raw log exports to processed wood, the role of international certification like FSC, and the challenges of illegal logging and substandard factories. The report identifies key stakeholders and the complex interplay between national policies, ASEAN agreements, and global market demands.

This 2006 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the economic relationships between India, Brazil, and South Africa. Based on interviews with 30 South African companies and government officials, it identifies significant non-tariff barriers, high business costs, and a lack of awareness among the private sector regarding the IBSA initiative. While it notes growth in bilateral trade—such as the 2004 SACU-Mercosur preferential trade agreement—it highlights that many South African firms perceive IBSA as a political rather than an economic project. The report recommends reducing customs duties, improving infrastructure, and involving the business sector more deeply in the formulation of trade agreements.

The report finds that while a free trade agreement (FTA) could provide some duty-free access for products like peaches, manganese, wool, and animal hair, the most significant benefits would likely come from relaxing rules of origin for textiles and clothing and restricting US anti-dumping duties on iron and steel. It notes that a high proportion of SACU exports already face zero Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs, and many available preferences under AGOA are under-utilised due to rules of origin or lack of importer awareness. The report emphasizes the need for SACU to diversify exports beyond apparel, especially following the end of the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA) quotas in 2004.

The document examines the ongoing WTO negotiations on environmental goods, noting that current proposed lists of goods for liberalization primarily benefit developed countries, who account for 79 per cent of exports. To create a more balanced outcome, the author suggests expanding the definition of environmental goods to include environmentally preferable products (EPPs) of export interest to developing countries—specifically non-timber forest products and natural fibre products—and implementing Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) provisions such as delayed compliance and less-than-full reciprocity.