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rules of origin

Preferential treatment provided for in a free trade agreement is usually granted only to products originating from members of that FTA, so rules of origin are important. These are the criteria which determine the national origin of a product. The country of origin of a product is usually seen as the country where the last substantial transformation took place.

Enforcing and defining rules of origin for goods or services poses major problems. This issue has been very controversial in a number of agreements and trade unions and other critics have campaigned to highlight the ways in which rules of origin can be used and abused by governments and corporations alike. In particular there are concerns about the ease with which goods processed partly or fully in a third country can receive duty-free access under a bilateral agreement by being re-exported with just enough processing to satisfy rules of origin requirements. This is further complicated by the fact that different bilateral free trade agreements use different criteria to set rules of origin.


Ministry announces changes in rules of origin in ASEAN-China FTA
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced amendments to the rules of origin under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
India for ‘made in’ tag on all imported items
India could make it mandatory for all imports to carry ‘made in (country)’ tag declaring their place of origin as it looks to tackle large scale dumping and entry of sub-standard goods and give a fillip to local manufacturing.
Rules of origin key to African Continental Free Trade Area: UN report
Rules of origin must be simple, transparent, business-friendly and predictable to work, said UNCTAD.
Tobacco as an ‘offensive interest’ in trade talks? The role of rules of origin
Beyond ISDS, another potential trade policy issue lurks in the background and which has not yet captured the attention of the health policy community: rules of origin in trade agreements.
Africa: How soon can the Continental Free Trade Agreement be implemented?
Among the key issues where negotiations are still needed include the rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, structure of implementation, schedule of concessions and tariff books.
Sacu, Mozambique fail to reach agreement to cushion Brexit impact
Issue with “cumulation,” which relates to certificates of origin required by exporters to both regions and differences in relation to timeframes for the continued recognition of sanitary and phytosanitary import requirements are not resolved.
India proposes stricter country of origin norms in RCEP pact
India has mooted stricter rules of origin in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement to prevent Chinese goods from indirectly flooding the country.
US and Mexico put off NAFTA talks until Wednesday, autos eyed
Rules of origin for autos is really a “bilateral” issue between Mexico and the United States because Canada was relatively comfortable with the original US proposal.
NAFTA math may not add up to more US auto jobs
Trump administration demands in NAFTA trade negotiations meant to push auto jobs back to the United States may not be enough to spark a shift in where automakers build cars and trucks.
US wants 4-year phase-in for higher NAFTA auto content thresholds
The latest US proposal for increasing NAFTA’s regional automotive content would carry a four-year phase-in to meet a higher, 75 percent regional value threshold and new labor content rules requiring substantial work at wages of $16 an hour or higher.
NAFTA officials put top-level talks on hold until May 7 to consult with industry
Negotiators trying to hammer out a quick NAFTA deal said they will take a break until May 7, allowing time for consultations with the auto industry in Mexico.
Canada hails progress on crucial autos file at NAFTA talks
Canadian, Mexican and U.S. ministers seeking to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have made good progress on the key question of autos, Canadian Foreign Minister said.
Trump said to soften key NAFTA demand on regional car content, but target may still be hard to reach
The US proposal would distinguish between different NAFTA car parts by grouping them into five categories, some of which would have a lower requirement for North American content or none at all
US NAFTA autos negotiator called from Mexico for consultations: officials
The US negotiator for regional content requirements in autos flew back to Washington from a NAFTA round in Mexico on Monday to talk with car companies, officials said, in a development some hoped would lead to progress on the contentious issue.
Next Nafta talks scheduled to start with auto content rules
Seventh round set to run Feb. 25 to March 5 in Mexico City. Rules of origin to be one of most discussed issues in talks.
Mexico to make regional content proposal for autos in NAFTA talks
Mexico will make a proposal for regional content requirements for autos at the next round of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a senior Mexican official said.
Canadian NAFTA auto rules of origin idea ‘opposite’ of US goals: Lighthizer
While “significant” challenges remain, all three ministers said some progress has been made this round.
NAFTA talks focus on dispute settlement, autos
Canada has proposed that Canada and Mexico would agree to a dispute settlement process between their two countries alone — to be outlined in an annex to the NAFTA.
Canada is the great unknown as TPP 11 talks near goal
Cultural and auto issues remain obstacles to reviving Pacific trade pact.