China Council for the Promotion of International Trade released the Global Economic and Trade Friction Index for January-February 2023

　　In order to help enterprises effectively cope with economic and trade frictions, provide risk early warning and decision-making support, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade continues to track and analyze the economic and trade measures of 20 countries (regions), and regularly releases global economic and trade frictions index reports。The report shows that the global economic and trade friction index was 150 in January and 239 in February, all at a high level, indicating that the global economic and trade friction conflict is still at a high upward trend。In terms of country indicesThe main countries that caused global economic and trade frictions in January were Russia, India, Turkey, the United States, Indonesia, and Canada, Russia, India, Indonesia, Brazil and so on in February。From the sub-measure indexThe index of import and export restrictive measures, import and export tariff measures and technical trade measures ranked in the top three in January and February, and were all at a high level。From the perspective of measures involved areasIn January, global economic and trade frictions mainly involved various types of vegetables, fruits and nuts, grains, meat and various animal products, as well as steel products。In February, it mainly covers various types of electrical and electrical equipment, machinery and appliances, fossil fuels, plastic products, special trading goods, and fruit and grain products。

　　(Source: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade)

　　The United States Patent and Trademark Office introduces an electronic patent grant process

　　Effective April 18, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will begin a new process of providing official copies of patent grants in electronic form, shifting to issuing electronic patent grants (eGrants) for patent recipients that reduce paper waste.。For a limited transitional period, the USPTO will provide a bound paper version as a ceremonial copy, after which a nominal fee will be charged。

　　(Source: China Intellectual Property Protection Network)

　　Korea Customs Service simplifies the certification process of "AEO company"

　　The Korea Customs Service (KTA) recently released a plan to expand AEO application for small and medium-sized export Companies.。The amount of materials required for AEO enterprise certification will be significantly reduced and the review time will be shortened。The number of submissions will be reduced from about 500 to 350, and the review time will be reduced from more than a year to less than eight months。The policy incentives for AEO companies will also be further enhanced. In addition to the policy incentives of the Customs Service, relevant companies will also enjoy preferential measures such as tax delay, exemption from tax guarantee, and early tax refund provided by the National Tax Service。The Customs Service said that the expansion of AEO certification will further reduce the burden on related companies and enhance export competitiveness as trade protectionism has been spreading around the world with non-tariff barriers as the center。

　　(Source: Korea Customs Service)

　　The RCEP will be fully effective for 15 member countries

　　According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on April 12, the Philippines has officially deposited the approval letter of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the ASEAN Secretary-General。According to the regulations, RCEP will take effect for the Philippines on June 2, marking that RCEP will be fully effective for 15 member countries, and the world's largest free trade area will enter a new stage of full implementation。

　　The Commerce ministry said，After the RCEP came into effect for the Philippines，In the field of trade in goods，Philippines on the basis of China-Asean Free Trade area，New zero-tariff treatment for Chinese automobiles and parts, some plastic products, textiles and clothing, air conditioning and washing machines，After a certain transition period，Tariffs on these products will be gradually reduced from 3% to 30% to zero。In addition, in the area of services and investment, the Philippines has committed to open its market to more than 100 service sectors, significantly liberalizing sea and air services, and giving foreign investors more certainty in the areas of commerce, telecommunications, distribution, finance, agriculture and manufacturing。All these will provide more free and convenient conditions for Chinese enterprises to expand trade and investment with the Philippines。

　　(Source: Chinanews.com)