
MULTILATERALISM – PLENARY
The global battle over data?
11:40-12:20 (CEST)– 6 May 2021
Introduction
Giacomo Calzolari, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, EUI
Conversation
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, European Commission
Méabh Mc Mahon, Europe correspondent, Euronews
MULTILATERALISM
Addressing international spillover effects of subsidy programs
18:55 – 19:45 CEST – 6 May 2021
Moderator
Bernard Hoekman, Robert Schuman Chair and Dean of External Relations, EUI
Speakers
Simon Evenett, Professor of International Trade and Economic Development, University of St. Gallen and Director, Global Trade Alert
Caroline Freund, Global Director, Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, World Bank
Pierre Regibeau, Chief Competition Economist, Directorate-General for Competition, European Commission
Since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, G20 countries have relied extensively on a variety of tax-subsidy instruments to support domestic firms and sectors. COVID-19 has led to a further increase in subsidisation. Spillovers associated with subsidy programmes and the behaviour of state-owned or state-controlled enterprises have become a major source of trade tension. This panel will discuss options for managing the competitive effects of subsidies in and outside the World Trade Organization.
MULTILATERALISM
Regulating the global digital economy: What role for international cooperation?
19:50 – 20:50 CEST – 6 May 2021
Moderator
Giacomo Calzolari, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, EUI
Speakers
Cristina Caffarra, Senior Consultant to Charles River Associates in Europe, Charles River Associates
Ziyang David Fan, Head of Digital Trade, World Economic Forum LLC
Andreas Schwab, MEP
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at the Cyber Policy Center, Stanford University
New regulations for digital markets have been implemented in many countries and many others are being developed. The EU is discussing a new Digital Market Act (DMA), a regulation package to shape the future of the digital economy in Europe which will have far reaching implications not least for online platforms and marketplaces. This panel will explore how these regulations will set standards in digital markets and will affect relations with non-European countries and companies.
MULTILATERALISM
Trade and China
19:50 – 20:40 CEST – 6 May 2021
Introduction
Bernard Hoekman, Robert Schuman Chair, Dean of External Relations, EUI
Conversation
Mark Wu, Senior Adviser to the U.S. Trade Representative; Vice Dean, Graduate Program and International Legal Studies, Harvard Law School, Harvard University (tbc) and Nikolas Busse, Foreign Editor, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (tbc)
The competitive implications of China’s rapid growth and increasing share of global trade and investment has led to rising concern in the EU and the US about the compatibility of Chinese state-led capitalism system with the existing rules-based multilateral trade order, and how the rulebook should be adapted to ensure there is a level playing field. This conversation will reflect on recent efforts by the EU and the US to address what has been termed the ‘China Inc. problem’.
MULTILATERALISM
10:30 – 11:10 CEST – 7 May 2021
Introduction
Bernard Hoekman, Robert Schuman Chair, Dean of External Relations, EUI
Conversation
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Media Partner
Sasha Vakulina, Business Editor, Euronews