In addition to addressing the challenges of the international regulatory framework, much remains to be done at the national level to help policies reap the benefits of trade for more people. The OECD can help. We can provide the data and analysis needed to help policymakers identify reform priorities and develop new trade rules. We have many years of work to measure government support and related market distortions in agriculture, fossil fuels and fisheries, and we have recently begun measuring government support in industrial sectors, starting with the aluminum value chain. In addition, the OECD provides up-to-date indicators and detailed information on the degree of restriction of trade in services, measures countries` performance in trade facilitation, monitors the use of officially supported export credits, and tracks export restrictions in the minerals and metals sectors. Market distortions remain significant in key areas of global trade. Despite the 1995 WTO Agreement on Agriculture, for example, agricultural and food products are generally subject to higher trade barriers than industrial products. Tariffs on agricultural products are, on average, three times higher than on industrial products. Agricultural and food products are also more likely to be subject to non-tariff measures. These include quotas (which are prohibited for other products) and regulations which, while targeting legitimate public policy objectives, may sometimes be more trade-restrictive than necessary to achieve that objective. Support for agricultural producers remains high, with more than two-thirds provided by measures that seriously distort production and trade.
There is considerable scope for reform of agricultural markets and trade, although even partial reform would bring considerable benefits. The tensions we currently see in the international trading system have built up over decades. Many are concerned that not everyone is adhering to agreed multilateral rules, that a high level of government support and protection remains in place in key sectors, and that new multilateral rules are not keeping pace with today`s trade realities. In this context, protectionism is on the rise. B&C experts assist clients on a variety of trade-related issues, including ensuring our clients` efforts are aligned with the five pillars of trade led by President Trump. We help our clients monitor and analyze global trade agreements, legal approvals and rules, analyze the intricacies of the Harmonized Customs Tariff (HST) and ensure that our clients` distribution networks are not hampered by changes in trade policies or practices. For major trade agreements between the U.S. and other countries, we work closely with like-minded organizations and our clients` partners and customers to develop sound business approaches. We implement sophisticated campaigns that lead to long-term stability and security in our clients` trading problems. We also provide regulatory and legislative advice to ensure that our customers do everything required by applicable laws and regulations to maintain an unhindered flow of their products worldwide.
After taking office, President Trump began imposing a number of different tariffs on imported goods, justifying them as an attempt to make trade conditions more favorable to the United States. Over the past two years, Trump has imposed tariffs of 10 to 25 percent on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods. These products include solar panels, steel, aluminum and many others. B&C conducts extensive advocacy in commercial matters. We work with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Commerce, legislators, and international governmental organizations such as the European Union (EU) and China`s Ministry of Commerce. and others. Through these efforts, we seek to influence governments and governments globally to ensure that our customers` products and services can be distributed with ease and efficiency. As a teaching subject, international business has the great advantage of providing ready-to-use materials for teachers who want to arouse students` interest in current events.