Trade has become well-established and recognised among practitioners and policymakers as an effective way to support and advance international development and poverty reduction. Multilateral institutions, including multilateral development banks (MDBs), have embraced this perspective, and most leading MDBs today put significant priority on the nexus between trade and development.

Tariffs are by no means a new concept, though they have gained a lot more prominence among everyday folk since US President Trump took office for his second term. 

The clue is in the name: Liberation Day. When President Trump announced at the beginning of his speech that he was declaring the independence of the United States from the global trade system, this was not a negotiation. The rhetoric used was violent: “America has been looted, pillaged and raped by other countries.” The scale of the tariffs imposed was unprecedented—a minimum of 10% and for some, notably China, much higher. 

Trade banks today are faced with a whirlwind of new changes and challenges. From tariffs and trade wars to digitalisation and data migrations, it can be a difficult space to operate in.

Nobody dreams of becoming a corporate treasurer. Most kids, and even adults, don’t even know what a treasurer does. It’s a role people stumble into – often by accident, occasionally… read more →

Ten or so years ago, if a bank wanted to purchase invoices issued by a supplier (of goods or services) to an acceptable buyer (called receivables), it was most likely… read more →

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The UK government has suspended third-country duty – also known as MFN tariffs on 89 products, expressing an ambition that the savings will be passed on to consumers.  Whilst timing of the press release appears to coincide with the imposition of 10% US tariffs applied in addition to existing most favoured nation (MFN) rates on most UK exports to the United States, the suspended tariff announcements are the outcome of a 2024 consultation. 

The worlds of 2015 and 2025 present a fascinating contrast in terms of technological advancements, societal shifts, and global challenges.