Tag: belgium

  • BNY Expands Bitcoin and Ether Custody to European Union Institutions Under MiCA

    BNY Expands Bitcoin and Ether Custody to European Union Institutions Under MiCA

    BNY expanded its digital asset custody platform to select European Union institutions on October 8, 2026. The service provides regulated safekeeping across four major tokens under the bloc’s MiCA framework.

    Globally, the bank oversees 62.6 trillion dollars in assets under custody and administration. Its European license represents one of the largest traditional finance entries into crypto infrastructure to date.

    Institutional clients can store, transfer and administer Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and USDC through The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, the group’s Brussels-based European banking entity. The setup uses multiparty computation, segregated client wallets and cold storage protocols. It also provides bankruptcy stay protection. That isolates client assets from BNY’s balance sheet if the bank faces insolvency.

    The Structure Behind the Custody Rollout

    Engineers built the digital custody infrastructure directly on BNY’s existing asset servicing architecture rather than operating it as an independent unit. The firm originally launched the platform in 2022 to handle tokenized cash and collateral settlement before seeking cross-border licensing.

    Client assets under the MiCA regime remain subject to explicit warnings. BNY notes that digital assets lack FDIC insurance, do not count as traditional bank deposits, and carry direct market exposure risks.

    Four assets form the initial offering: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and USDC. The bank plans to add more tokens and stablecoins over time. However, it has not set a timeline for listing additional assets or confirmed specific rollout dates across individual EU member states.

    How Custody Competition Stacks Up

    Custodians are taking divergent approaches to digital assets across Europe, North America and Asian financial hubs. US regulatory hurdles previously slowed custody rollouts on American balance sheets. In contrast, the EU’s clear MiCA timetable gave BNY a unified single-market rulebook to clear its European banking arm first.

    Rivals are moving in parallel across international hubs. Standard Chartered has expanded digital asset custody across its Dubai operations, including support for institutional stablecoin reserves. For institutional investors, the entry of global systemically important banks narrows the compliance gap between holding conventional equities and holding digital tokens.

    Operational risks remain concentrated around liquidity and software integration. Asset managers require real-time settlement and automated reporting into standard accounting platforms. Traditional custody books provide these tools for bonds, but developers are still adapting them for public blockchains.

    Licensing Steps Leading to the European Launch

    Regulators at the European Securities and Markets Authority registered The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV on the official MiCA registry in July 2026. That authorization permits crypto asset custody, administration and transfer activities across member jurisdictions, setting up the October deployment.

    Jennifer Barker, Head of Europe at BNY, addressed the institutional demand behind the launch: “To support increasingly digital strategies, institutions need solutions with the same resilience, oversight and safeguards they rely on across traditional operations.”

    BNY must now demonstrate institutional client adoption on the ground. The bank has not disclosed initial custody volumes or named launch partners for the four supported tokens, leaving transaction metrics and broader asset approvals as the key milestones ahead.

  • EU Supply Chain Rules Target 37 Percent of Inaccurate Clothing Labels

    EU Supply Chain Rules Target 37 Percent of Inaccurate Clothing Labels

    European Union sustainability and forced-labour laws will penalise apparel brands and their global suppliers, with new packaging rules rolling out in August. Companies must track materials down to individual farms and component mills. Regulators in Brussels are introducing strict enforcement rules, empowering border authorities to seize non-compliant garments and name offending companies publicly.

    A European Commission testing campaign found that 37 percent of clothing labels failed to reflect material composition accurately. That finding has accelerated regulatory scrutiny across Asian textile export hubs supplying European fashion groups, prompting brands like Tod’s to partner with sustainability-data management firm Renoon.

    Forced Labour Import Bans Target Factory Floors

    The EU Forced Labour Regulation gives European investigators direct authority to inspect supply chains. Officials can ban non-compliant goods from entering the single market. Older disclosure laws required only annual corporate reports. The new framework mandates product-level proof of compliance before shipments clear customs.

    Marissa Brock, senior director of policy and government affairs at supply chain software firm Sourcemap, said: The EU has already indicated that it will target large brands and retailers for forced labor enforcement.

    For manufacturers in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India, documentation is now a strict condition for export. Ignorance of subcontracting practices or raw material origins no longer shields buyers or vendors from penalties.

    Digital Passports Shift Burden to Component Makers

    Compliance pressure will mount as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation introduces mandatory Digital Product Passports. These digital records attach directly to physical goods. They log raw material extraction, chemical treatments and repairability standards.

    Upstream suppliers carry the operational burden. European fashion houses hold legal liability under EU law. Yet Asian tier-two and tier-three vendors must produce and standardize the operational data required for every production batch.

    Fast Fashion Faces Inspection Bottlenecks

    Standard fast-fashion retailers benefit from agile, digitized supply networks when integrating digital passport systems. Ultra-fast-fashion businesses face acute exposure. Compressed production schedules and minimal chemical auditing create immediate risks for their low-cost models.

    Luxury brands face separate hurdles. Milan courts placed Italian operating subsidiaries of major fashion houses under judicial administration after investigations uncovered illegal subcontracting. High price points do not guarantee upstream transparency.

    Tight Timelines for Single Market Access

    Brussels began applying its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in August. Full enforcement of the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive takes effect in September. Farm-level traceability mandates under the Deforestation Regulation follow by the end of next year.

    Broader requirements arrive next, with full implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and digital product passport mandates taking effect across 2028 and 2029.

  • AB InBev Adds Functional Beers and Smaller Packs to Target Frugal Shoppers

    AB InBev Adds Functional Beers and Smaller Packs to Target Frugal Shoppers

    Anheuser-Busch InBev is rolling out smaller pack sizes and functional drinks with added protein or electrolytes. The brewer wants to win back price-sensitive shoppers and lift global sales volumes.

    The world’s largest brewer by market value also plans to capture more revenue from non-beer categories like energy drinks. Executives value that addressable market at 25 billion dollars.

    Sizing Down for Developing Markets

    Management revealed the strategy to investors at a London event on September 22. The plan targets occasional drinkers who cut back as inflation squeezed household budgets.

    Chief Marketing Officer Marcel Marcondes told investors that reshaping pack architecture offers clear room for growth. In developing markets, the brewer will introduce smaller single-serve containers alongside larger bulk formats that reduce unit costs.

    Data is showing us huge opportunities to make beer more affordable, especially in developing markets.

    Functional Beer and Zero-Alcohol Innovation

    Beyond packaging, the group is reformulating core drinks to meet health trends. Product teams will focus on zero-alcohol beers with distinct flavours, fewer calories and functional ingredients.

    Trials are already under way in Latin America, where the company launched a protein-fortified Spaten beer in Brazil. Electrolyte-infused recipes will follow. Executives want non-alcoholic beer treated as an everyday meal drink rather than an occasional substitute.

    Challenging Beyond Beer Categories

    Growth plans also reach past modified malt drinks. Ready-to-drink canned cocktails, led by Cutwater in the US, and energy drinks now form a central growth pillar.

    Chief Executive Michel Doukeris told shareholders the company acts like an insurgent outside traditional brewing. Strong distribution and retail shelf access give it use against established beverage conglomerates.

    Pressure on Traditional Volumes

    Beer consumption has dropped across mature markets like North America. Younger consumers increasingly turn to spirits, seltzers or sobriety. Rivals face the same headwind, pushing big brewers to diversify away from standard lager.

    Retail buyers and convenience operators will see the resized packs and fortified zero-alcohol lines enter distribution channels ahead of the next financial year.

  • Emirates SkyCargo Expands into Belgium, Adds Liege to Global Freighter Network Amid Rising Cargo Demand

    Emirates SkyCargo Expands into Belgium, Adds Liege to Global Freighter Network Amid Rising Cargo Demand

    Emirates SkyCargo, renowned for being the freight division of the largest international airline worldwide, has recently announced that Liege, Belgium (LGG) is the newest addition to its freighter network. A considerable enlargement of their network is planned throughout the next year, with Liege being the inaugural freighter destination for 2026.

    Strategic Location

    Liege Airport is strategically located within the Amsterdam-Paris-Frankfurt production ‘golden triangle’. Its prime location, combined with unmatched road connectivity, makes it one of the rapidly expanding cargo hubs globally. In 2025, the airport saw a 14% increase in cargo volumes. Over the past years, Emirates SkyCargo has utilized Liege Airport for sporadic freighters, transporting specialized items such as freshly cut flowers, e-commerce packages, and specific charters for horses headed for global competitions. With the continuing demand, the airline will now deploy five weekly freighters, enhancing cargo capacity by 500 tonnes each week to facilitate quick, reliable, and efficient movement of goods.

    Expanded Connections

    Among the five weekly freighters, three will provide connections between Liege, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. These connections will ensure the safe transportation of crucial, temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products through a seamless and efficient cool chain. The remaining two freighters will commence in Hong Kong and transport e-commerce shipments to and via Liege.

    Khawla Abdulla, Vice President of Cargo Commercial for Europe, Emirates SkyCargo, highlights that establishing Liege as a permanent fixture in their freighter network is a strategic decision that enhances their European footprint and offers more connectivity for their global customers. She estimates considerable growth with the deployment of the five weekly freighters, considering the successful transportation of over 15,000 tonnes of cargo from Belgium in 2025. The high-quality infrastructure, freighter-first operations, and well-connected logistics at Liege Airport further support their aim to provide high-level service to Belgium and its neighboring countries.

    Torsten Wefers, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Liege Airport, expressed his honor at Emirates Sky Cargo’s decision to include Liege Airport in their global freighter network. He views this development as a testament to Liege Airport’s rising importance in the European air cargo industry and further strengthens its position as the largest European freighter hub.

    Continued Expansion

    Europe remains a vital and bustling region for Emirates SkyCargo, with 38 freighters and 538 passenger flights serving it weekly. The airline is planning further expansion, recently announcing the commencement of passenger operations to Helsinki, Finland, in October 2026. With a tentative delivery of up to 10 new Boeing 777Fs by December 2026, along with the continued delivery of passenger aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo is poised for growth and service to more destinations with its top-tier product and service.

    Questions & Answers

    What percentage increase in cargo volumes did Liege Airport see in 2025?
    The airport saw a 14% increase in cargo volumes in 2025.

    How many weekly freighters will Emirates SkyCargo deploy to Liege?
    Emirates SkyCargo plans to deploy five weekly freighters to Liege.

    What is the significance of adding Liege to Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter network?
    This strategic addition enhances the company’s European footprint, providing more connectivity for their global customers, and facilitating the efficient and reliable transportation of various goods.

  • Belgian Bakery Le Pain Quotidien Returns To India, Plans 100 Outlets By 2035

    Belgian Bakery Le Pain Quotidien Returns To India, Plans 100 Outlets By 2035

    Le Pain Quotidien, a renowned Belgian bakery-cafe chain, has made a comeback in the Indian market by establishing a fresh outlet in Palladium Mall, Mumbai. The brand’s return is facilitated through a master franchise agreement with Bake & Brew Private Limited.

    Le Pain Quotidien’s Location

    The latest store of Le Pain Quotidien is strategically positioned in the Gourmet Village zone of Palladium Mall. This zone is known for its assortment of local and international restaurants, some of which include Gold by Ice Cream Works, Burma Burma, and Kuuraku.

    Le Pain Quotidien, a name that translates to “the daily bread” in French, initially launched its venture in India in 2010. However, the brand withdrew from the Indian market during the pandemic in 2020.

    New Franchise Agreement

    In August last year, Le Pain Quotidien entered into a new franchise agreement with Bake & Brew. The arrangement has an ambitious target – to inaugurate upwards of 100 outlets across India by 2035.

    Le Pain Quotidien was first established in Brussels in 1990 by Alain Coumont. Today, the brand operates over 200 locations in 18 different countries.

    Future Expansion Plans

    Le Pain Quotidien has major expansion plans on the horizon. It aims to launch a second store in Mumbai by the close of this year, while other major cities are also in its crosshairs for expansion. The brand is particularly keen on tapping into travel and transit hubs.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Le Pain Quotidien’s expansion plan in India?
    Le Pain Quotidien plans to open more than 100 outlets across India by 2035 as a part of their franchise agreement with Bake & Brew. They also aim to open a second store in Mumbai by the end of this year.

    When did Le Pain Quotidien first launch in India and when did it exit?
    Le Pain Quotidien first launched in India in 2010 and withdrew from the market during the pandemic in 2020.

    What is Le Pain Quotidien’s focus area for its future expansion?
    Le Pain Quotidien intends to expand into major Indian cities, particularly focusing on travel and transit hubs.

  • Thai Airways selects ECS Group’s Aero Cargo Belgium to enhance cargo connectivity

    Thai Airways selects ECS Group’s Aero Cargo Belgium to enhance cargo connectivity

    ECS Group announced a new strategic partnership between its subsidiary Aero Cargo Belgium and Thai Airways, set to redefine cargo connectivity on essential routes between Europe and Asia.

    The agreement, which took effect on February 1st, focuses on the Brussels (BRU) to Bangkok (BKK) route, offering seamless transit options to destinations including Australia, Korea, India, Japan, Manila, and Singapore.

    Thai Airways operates daily flights using Boeing 787-800 aircraft, each providing a payload capacity of 15 tons. The airline will not only benefit from ECS Group’s in-house technology but also from the full deployment of CargoTech suite of digital tools.  This collaboration caters to a diverse range of cargo, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals, ensuring reliable and efficient transport solutions for time-sensitive and specialized shipments.

    Jean Ceccaldi, CEO of ECS Group, commented: “ECS Group is proud to support this collaboration with Thai Airways, which reflects our commitment to building long-term, value-driven relationships with airlines. By enabling them to achieve operational excellence and deliver tailored solutions for their unique needs, we are setting a new standard for global connectivity and efficiency in the cargo industry.”

    “This agreement is a significant milestone for Aero Cargo Belgium,” added Bert Moortgat, Managing Director of Aero Cargo Belgium. “With daily flights and access to a network of vital destinations in Asia-Pacific, we are able to offer our customers unparalleled opportunities to connect their goods to global markets efficiently and reliably, particularly for high-value and sensitive commodities such as pharmaceuticals.”

    This partnership between Thai Airways and Aero Cargo Belgium marks a significant milestone in connecting Europe and Asia-Pacific with efficient and reliable cargo solutions. By combining Thai Airways’ extensive network with Aero Cargo Belgium’s expertise, the collaboration promises exceptional service and the strengthening of global trade routes for key industries.

  • Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian craft brewery Rodenbach has made its cherry-flavoured craft beer, Fruitage, available in Australia.

    The beer is made from a blend of ripened and aged ale, young ale, and 7 per cent cherries, processed through “meticulous” fermentation.

    “The main fermentation and warm maturation occur with top-fermenting yeasts at ambient temperatures between 15 to 25 Celsius,” explained the brewery.

    “Secondary fermentation takes place over a two-year maturation period in oak casks, facilitated by bacterial flora and wild yeasts present in the oak.”

    These microorganisms initially produce organic acids, which are then transformed into fruity esters, giving Fruitage its distinct, vibrant taste.

    Rodenbach Fruitage is available in Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores nationwide at an RRP of $17 for a four-pack and $84.99 for a case.

  • Belgium toasts its beer riches with new visitor centre

    Belgium toasts its beer riches with new visitor centre

    Belgium is promoting its centuries of beer-making and 430 breweries with a new visitor centre in Brussels that recounts the history of Belgian production and aims to show what is unique about the country’s beer and beer culture.

    Belgian Beer World will open on Saturday in the neoclassical former Brussels Stock Exchange, renovated at a cost of $96.25 million.

    Visitors will learn about “Belgitude” – Belgian identity – and what distinguishes Belgian beer from others – such as the four different fermentation methods and the culture of each beer having its own branded glass.

    “In Belgium there’s more to it than the liquid in the glass,” said Krishan Maudgal, director of the Belgian Brewers Association.

    Belgium produces some 1,600 beers, and its beer culture secured a place on the UNESCO global list of traditions worthy of preservation in 2016.

    The new center shows production in the Middle Ages, when beer was a safe alternative to contaminated water, and hops were introduced as a preservative, and up to the modern day. The tour ends with a beer, suggested by a virtual barman, in the building’s rooftop terrace bar.

    Brussels already has a beer museum, but is unassuming, with old brewing equipment and some insight into beer-making.

    “It’s very typical of Belgium. We are too modest. We are someone who says ‘maybe it’s not necessary’,” said Brussels city Mayor Philippe Close, adding Dublin and Amsterdam were active in promoting their beer cultures.

    He said the center expected to welcome 300,000 visitors in its first year, with adult tickets costing 17 euros.

  • Tax break assists Belgian brewery to ‘Australianise’ its beers

    Tax break assists Belgian brewery to ‘Australianise’ its beers

    Queensland brewery Madocke Beer Brewing Co is set to brew its Belgian-style beer with Australian ingredients as part of a tax incentive program.

    The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive program supports businesses that undertake R&D initiatives benefitting Australia, by providing a tax offset on eligible activities.

    It is administered by the Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

    The Gold Coast brewery – which predominantly produces traditional European-style beer – will now replace its European malts and hops with Australian ingredients.

    “So in our research and development claim that we did with the Australian government, we deliberately put forward that we are going to try to recreate traditional Belgian beers with Australian ingredients,” said Annelies Nijskens, Madocke’s co-founder and brewery manager said.

    “If we can change over more beers with Australian malts, it’s beneficial for Australian agriculture and the economy and the ecological footprint, which is very important these days.”

    The brewery began experimenting last year with Australian native honey to produce a Blonde beehive beer and a Belgian-style Blonde beer with Australian-grown Border Pale Malt from Barrett Burston Malting.

    The latter won the European-style ale category at this year’s Indies award.

    “Even though we are a Belgian-style brewery, we do not just bring everything in from Europe, we do try to work on Australian ingredients as well,” said Nijskens.

    Since ingredient sourcing and freight delays are ongoing problems facing businesses’ supply chains, the brewery aims to localize its source while helping the economy under this program.

  • Barry Callebaut expands NSW chocolate plant

    Barry Callebaut expands NSW chocolate plant

    Barry Callebaut has completed the expansion of its Campbellfield factory in Melbourne, after the 11,000 m2 site was acquired in 2020.

    The expansion will cater for local industrial food manufacturers with new production lines to increase the total operating capacity and its range of chocolate offerings. The range will now include liquid chocolate, compound, buttons and chips, in addition to the products already produced at the site such as coatings and fillings.

    “This factory expansion underlines Barry Callebaut’s ongoing commitment to Australia. The facility further strengthens our regional footprint in Asia–Pacific, producing safe and high-quality products. The move is in line with our ambition to locate production close to our customers,” said Jo Thys, President of the Asia Pacific region for Barry Callebaut.

    The factory will be equipped with chocolate refining and conching lines, which will enable the company to serve the Australian food industry from artisans to global manufacturers.

    “I am proud that our Gourmet chocolates have been brought into the country for many years now. Today, I am even prouder that our high quality ‘Made in Australia’ products are available in higher volumes, creating more chocolate happiness for our local consumers,” said Denis Convert, Managing Director Australia at Barry Callebaut.

    “With the expansion of our Campbellfield factory, we are well-positioned to become the leading chocolate manufacturer in Australia.”

  • Revolut Expands as a Bank

    Revolut Expands as a Bank

    Europe’s most valuable fintech has already amassed 18 million app users worldwide. Some of those are about to become bank customers.

    The London-headquartered neobank is launching as a bank in ten additional European markets, lifting the number of countries it operates in to 28, it said in a statement. The challenger bank can now protect client deposits up to 100,000 euros in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, using its European specialized banking license.

    In a few clicks clients from these countries will be able to upgrade to Revolut Bank from within the app, it said.

    Deposits will be secured by the Lithuanian State company deposit and investment insurance, it added.

    Over the past few years, Revolut’s rapid level of growth has added pressure on Swiss banks to boost their digital services. Since its inception in 2015 the company has attracted more than 18 million customers globally, it says on its website.

  • Uber To Halt App In Brussels, Belgium From Friday After Court Ruling

    Uber To Halt App In Brussels, Belgium From Friday After Court Ruling

    Uber Technologies Inc. said it would halt operations in Brussels from Nov. 26 after a court ruled that a 2015 ban on private individuals offering taxi services also applies to professional drivers.

    Uber said the decision by the Brussels Appeals Court on Wednesday will affect around 2,000 drivers, and it urged the Belgian government to quickly change taxi service laws.

  • Brussels Urges Volkswagen To Compensate All EU Dieselgate

    Brussels Urges Volkswagen To Compensate All EU Dieselgate

    Brussels on Tuesday called on Volkswagen to pay out all European consumers – and not just German ones – affected by the “Dieselgate” scandal in which the automaker tampered with vehicle emissions to cheat pollution tests.

    EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement that VW “is not willing to work with consumer organisations to find appropriate solutions for consumers,” noting that it so far is only making payouts to German and US purchasers of its affected vehicles.

    “All consumers need to be compensated,” Reynders said.

  • Barry Callebaut names new MD for Australia and New Zealand

    Barry Callebaut names new MD for Australia and New Zealand

    Chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut Group has named Denis Convert as its new MD for ANZ.

    Convert will start his new role on August 1 and will be based in the GKC Foods office in Melbourne. As MD, he will oversee operations and sales teams in growing sales volume and expanding Barry Callebaut’s footprint in the region.

    “The appointment will steer Barry Callebaut’s further growth in Australia and New Zealand,” the company said in a statement.

    Barry Callebaut bought GKC Foods last year.

    Having joined the group in 2014 as VP of gourmet for Asia Pacific, Convert led sales and marketing teams in the region. Prior to Barry Callebaut, he held senior roles at Mars in Europe for 14 years.

  • Steel industry expected to recover this year

    Steel industry expected to recover this year

    Vietnam’s steel industry is expected to recover this year with rising export orders, thanks to improved global demand and surging domestic consumption.

    Market leader Hoa Phat Group last month exported over 12,000 tonnes of products, mostly cold-galvanized steel, to North and South America.

    This followed an export of 10,000 tonnes in January to Belgium and Spain.

    The company targets producing 300,000-400,000 tonnes of steel products this year, 30-40 percent of which are likely to be exported.

    Its competitor Hoa Sen Group last month set a new export record of 121,000 tonnes of galvanized steel worth more than $100 million. The group has a network of over 85 countries and territories, with main markets being the U.S, Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

    Vietnam’s steel industry is expected to see growth of 5-6 percent this year, with global demand set to rise by 4.1 percent thanks to a recovery in developed markets, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).

    Other drivers for growth include expectations of rising public investment in infrastructure, the recovery of the real estate market and more foreign direct investment, said VSA deputy chairman Trinh Khoi Nguyen.

    The industry started 2021 strongly, with a 61 percent year-on-year rise in production volume to 2.65 million tonnes.

    Domestic sales in the period rose 55 percent to 2.12 million tonnes, while exports rose 53 percent in value to $553 million.

    These figures indicate robust recovery prospects this year after VSA saw half of its members reporting plunging revenues last year, especially in the first and second quarter, due to Covid-19 impacts.

    However, trade officials have warned that rising safeguard measures could hurt the industry.

    Last month, Indonesia imposed an anti-dumping duty of 3.01-49.2 percent on Vietnam cold steel sheets.

    In January, Malaysia revised duties on cold-rolled coils of alloy and non-alloy steel from Vietnam to 7.42-33.7 percent for the period between January 24 and May 23.

    The U.S. and Canada have also slapped anti-dumping duties on Vietnam’s steel products in recent years.

    The Trade Remedies Authorities of Vietnam has advised local steelmakers to diversify their markets to avoid being punished with such duties.

    Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (VCCI) WTO Center, said that steel producers need to prepare themselves with knowledge of regulations on international safeguard measures and cooperate with other countries’ trade authorities to resolve issues.