Issue April 2025
IN THE LOOP
Recent events
A Vibrant Start to 2025 with the TradeExperettes!
The first months of 2025 have been packed with energy, connection, and fresh opportunities for the TradeExperettes community. From dynamic networking events in Brussels and Washington, DC, to thought-provoking policy dialogues and new skills-building sessions, our members have been at the forefront of the conversations shaping the future of trade. We proudly launched our Ten Quick Wins webinar series, tackled the challenges of digital trade and supply chain resilience, and brought diverse voices together to drive impact across the global trade landscape. Whether through professional development at our SkillsLabs or high-level discussions with leading experts, TradeExperettes continues to be a space where ideas spark action and connections create change.
Stay connected as we continue to unlock new opportunities for our members in the coming year. Together, let’s keep building a vibrant community dedicated to advancing #TradeAsAForceForGood.
Ready to join our growing network? Become a member today!
FIRST MEET AND GREET OF 2025!
January 07, 2025
Our monthly Meet and Greet sessions provide a vibrant and welcoming space for members to connect and expand their networks. These casual gatherings create the perfect opportunity to meet fellow professionals and engage in meaningful conversations.
Join us the first Tuesday of every month. We would love to see you there!
Mark your calendars: May 6, 2025; June 3, 2025; and July 1, 2025.
HOLIDAY PARTY 2025!
January 10, 2025
We started 2025 on a high note with a vibrant Holiday Party. This gathering brought our community together for a morning of connection, reflection, and goal-setting. From engaging activities to inspiring discussions, the event was a perfect opportunity to share aspirations for the year ahead.
CURATED SERIES: EPISODE 2
January 15, 2025
Our CuraTEd Series continued with “Navigating the ESG Regulatory Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities”, sponsored by PepsiCo. Moderated by Darci Vetter, former U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator and TradeExperettes Advisor, the panel featured Samira Rafaela, Visiting Fellow of Cornell University ILR School and former MEP and Johansein Rutaihwa, Head of the Southern African Development Community for Industrialization and Competitiveness Unit; and a sustainability export from the CPG industry. The panelists analyzed the complexities of ESG compliance across various jurisdictions, including the EU, US, and other key markets, discuss strategies for navigating voluntary and mandatory reporting obligations, and develop a roadmap for effective and strategic ESG policy making.
KAS-TRADEEXPERETTES POLICY DIALOGUE IN BRUSSELS
February 04, 2025
The program hosted by KAS Multinational Development Policy Dialogue-Brussels and TradeExperettes offered emerging trade policy professionals a unique opportunity to engage directly with European policymakers, industry leaders, and experts in Brussels. Through in-depth discussions, participants explored pressing trade issues—including climate change and economic security—while gaining a deeper understanding of EU trade policies and their global impact.
A delegation of eight women trade experts from Argentina, Kenya, India, New Zealand, Peru, Taiwan, Turkey, and Uganda brought diverse perspectives and contributed valuable insights to the trade conversations in Brussels.
BRUSSELS NETWORKING DRINKS
February 04, 2025
Our TradeExperettes Networking Evening, co-hosted with Women in Trade and OWIT Brussels, brought together professionals for a relaxed and engaging gathering at Grand Central. Attendees connected over lively conversation, exchanged ideas, and built meaningful relationships in a welcoming setting. The event offered a valuable opportunity to expand networks, share insights, and engage with like-minded peers from across the trade policy community.
TE SKILLSLAB: HOW TO APPLY FOR UN JOBS
February 12, 2025
Featuring Amelia Santos-Paulino, Chief of the Investment Research Section, UNCTAD, our SkillsLab session on“How to Apply for UN Jobs?” provided a deep dive into the competitive UN job application process, covering key steps from online applications to assessments and interviews. The event included a 30-minute master class with expert insights, followed by an off-the-record Q&A, where attendees received tailored advice to navigate this complex process and boost their chances of success.
10 QUICK WINS: TRADE POLICY IN A CHANGING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE
February 27, 2025
We launched our new Webinar Series centered on our flagship Ten Quick Wins report, with the inaugural session “10 Quick Wins: Trade Policy in a Changing Global Landscape.” This discussion explored how trade intersects with geopolitics, economic security, and inclusion, featuring insights from our esteemed panel of experts: Michelle Egan, professor at American University; Hamid Mamdouh, Senior Counsel at King and Spalding; Susanne Jannesson, Legal Counsel Public Affairs at Volvo AB; and Emilie Kerstens, Senior Associate at Global Counsel.
SHAPING TOMORROW’S GLOBAL ECONOMY
April 03, 2025
The TradeExperettes and the Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted an event titled Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Economy: The Transformative Power and Potential of Digital Trade, at PIIE’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
The event, featuring Martin Chorzempa, Kat Duffy, and Joshua Meltzer, and moderated by Cecilia Malmström, brought together leading experts to explore the future of digital trade, strategies for bridging the digital divide, and efforts to establish global rules and regulatory frameworks for a sustainable digital trade ecosystem. Hanna Norberg delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for a forward-looking discussion. Click here to watch the recording of the event!
TE SKILLSLAB: JOB INTERVIEW PRACTICE SESSION
April 09, 2025
The SkillsLab session provided a supportive and professional space for Members to refine their job interview skills through realistic practice and constructive peer feedback from fellow TradeExperettes with relevant experience.
Held monthly, the SkillsLab program offers a series of interactive tutorials and practical exercises designed to strengthen professional confidence, sharpen communication techniques, and build public speaking skills.
10 QUICK WINS: CHALLENGING TRADE POLICY FOR FAIRER AND STRONGER SUPPLY CHAINS
April 10, 2025
We continued our new Webinar Series centered on our flagship Ten Quick Wins report with the second session, “Ten Quick Wins: Challenging Trade Policy for Fairer and Stronger Supply Chains.” This discussion focused on strategies to diversify, stabilize, and sustain global supply chains, promote fair labor practices, and enhance transparency and international cooperation.
The session featured insights from our esteemed panel of experts: Desirée LeClercq, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Georgia School of Law and Faculty Co-Director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center; and Helen Kennett, Director in the Trade and Industrial Policy team at Global Counsel. The conversation was moderated by Sylvia Chen, Director at Egmont Trade Consulting and TradeExperettes’ SkillsLab Coordinator.
THE LATEST SCOOP
Top content to revisit
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The year 2024 marks a global election cycle with over 80 countries, representing more than half of the world’s population casting their votes. In these uncertain times, the world finds itself confronted by a state of “polycrisis”—a complex web of interconnected global challenges that transcends borders. Geopolitics and international trade have a critical role to play in driving solutions to these crises.
As many countries continue to navigate the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world contends with other pressing issues such as the increasing urgency of tackling climate change and addressing the fragmentation of traditional geopolitical alliances. As nations confront various stressors, including ongoing conflicts in several regions around the world, these interconnected issues have heightened uncertainties and undermined the previously robust support for open trade.
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BY JAVERIA MARYAM – In today’s integrated global economy, international trade is often seen as a tool to boost female workforce participation. However, achieving sustainable and inclusive growth requires gender-sensitive trade policies to ensure equitable benefits for all.
Gender-differentiated roles and gender-biased business practices exist in global markets, causing women to be more disadvantaged.
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BY ŞEYMANUR YÖNT – On January 24, 2024, the EU announced its strategy on outbound investments with the objective of establishing a comprehensive outbound screening policy. Although the policy outcome will not be known until 2025 at the earliest, the EU is likely to introduce an initiative resembling the US outbound investment screening regime. But the EU is not the US. Introducing such a regime will be a challenge for the EU.
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BY EMILIE KERSTENS & BELÉN GRACIA – In a recent webinar hosted by TradeExperettes, esteemed experts including WTO DDG Johanna Hill, Alice Tipping, Director of Trade and Sustainable Development at the IISD, and Tiffany Smith, Vice President for Global Trade Policy at NFTC, provided their insightful reflections on the outcomes of MC13, shedding light on its accomplishments, failures and perhaps most importantly, the path forward.
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BY CHRISTINE MCDANIEL – This week, all eyes are on the WTO 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) and its 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Further rules proposed for MC13 would help members better target the underlying role of harmful fisheries subsidies that cause overcapacity and overfishing.
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BY JANE DRAKE-BROCKMAN & HILDEGUNN KYVIK NORDAS – The internet is a global public good that we can no longer take for granted. Recent years have witnessed escalating constraints on cross-border data transfers - undermining the integrity of the internet itself and threatening the global digital transformation. The WTO has a critical role to play to keep markets open, particularly to the benefit of MSMEs firms in developing countries. MC13 can contribute to this goal.
TRADE [S]HEROES
Showcasing the work of a leading woman in trade policy
Huan Zhu specializes in U.S.-China trade relations, Chinese trade and investment law, and World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes. She has an extensive record of research and publications in law journals and book chapters.
Zhu is currently the co-founder and Vice-President of China Trade Monitor, a reporting and analysis service specializing in international trade with China, and a Senior Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne School of Law. She recently completed a fellowship at the Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, where she published a paper titled "The Great Wall of Chinese Sanctions and Countersanctions."
Zhu is also the Director of Strategic Planning & External Events at TradeExperettes.
BEHIND THE BADGE
Hear from a TradeExperettes member
Nesli Almufti, Global Government Affairs Lead, H&M Group, at the 2023 TradeExperettes networking event during the WTO Public Forum in Geneva.
Mark your calendars!
TRADEEXPERETTES MONTHLY MEET AND GREET
Join our members-only Meet & Greet sessions!
Every first Tuesday of the month, connect in an informal, welcoming space designed to help you get to know fellow members and build meaningful professional relationships.
📅 Upcoming sessions:
May 6, 2025 | 2 PM EDT; 8 PM CET; 8 AM NZDT (May 7)
June 3, 2025 | 8 AM EDT; 2 PM CET; 2 AM NZDT (June 4)
July 1, 2025 | 2 PM EDT; 8 PM CET; 8 AM NZDT (July 2)
Forge new connections and expand your global trade circle in a relaxed setting. Watch your inbox for updates and be sure to RSVP for the next Meet & Greet!
WRITERETTES AND RESEARCH CAFE
Need focused time for writing or research?
Join TradeExperettes' members-only virtual sessions!
Writerettes: Hosted by Michelle Egan, every Friday 9:00-12:00 EST (15:00-18:00 CET). Draft, edit, and ideate in distraction-free 45-minute sprints with peer accountability.
Research Café: Hosted by Mitali Pradhan, first Friday of each month 9:00-9:45 EST (15:00-15:45 CET). Brainstorm proposals, data sources, and methods with global trade experts in a no-pressure environment.
Connect, collaborate, and advance your projects in these supportive sessions.
Find the link to the sessions here.
DIGITAL DAY AT THE WTO!
Ready to explore the cutting edge of digital trade?
Join TradeExperettes and the WTO for Digital Day on June 10, 2025!
Digital Day: A dynamic event exploring the power and potential of digital trade. With expert panels, high-level speakers, and networking opportunities, the day will spotlight how inclusive digital policies can drive global growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of digital trade.
CURATED SERIES: EPISODE 3 ON THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY!
Join us for the next session in the TradeExperettes CuraTEd Series—proudly sponsored by PepsiCo and Global Affiliate Canada.
On May 22, we continue the conversation on global supply chains with a deep dive into “The Role of Technology.” This third session brings together leading voices in the field to explore how emerging technologies are transforming supply chain resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.
🎙️ Featured speakers: Jeff Weiss – Chair, ASTM Committee F49 on Digital Information in the Supply Chain, Aba Schubert – CEO & Co-Founder, Dorae. and Emmanuela Ganne – Chief, Digital Trade and Frontier Technologies.
🗣️ Moderated by: Hanna Norberg
TradeExperettes thrives through volunteer dedication and the generous support of individuals and organizations committed to advancing women trade experts. Your contributions directly sustain our diverse programs and help extend memberships to professionals from developing countries, LDCs, and students requiring financial assistance.
Click here to support us.
Edited by Arushi Vaishnav. Newsletter layout designed by Ricardo Ashimi.