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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 18h

IPEF (Fund for Technical Assistance and Economic Cooperation) is still a thing - DFAT hosted a Regional Policy Dialogue on Disability-Inclusive Supply Chain Resilience last week in Singapore lnkd.in/p/gtpKJhqe www.facebook.com/cdpo.org/pos...

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Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.com · 02/10/2026

This will never stop blowing my mind. A 12-year sequence of real telescope images of a star 133 lightyears away. And around it, four planets slowly orbiting. Four real exoplanets, each more massive than Jupiter, imaged as they move around their host star.

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Highlights from the RCEP Joint Ministerial Statement: asean.org/joint-media-... relaunched website (it's pretty minimal, but still more than CPTPP! www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/art...), accessions underway, and General Review slowly moving forward with a 'Joint Scoping Paper' coming next year

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

For RCEP watchers - Ministers are meeting this week to discuss implementation and the general review. Philippines suggests the review could cover new provisions on "digital trade, sustainable development, inclusivity and emerging technologies such as AI" business.inquirer.net/611673/asean...

business.inquirer.net

Asean to set AI cooperation rules

Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is set to lay down common rules on how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Trouble ahead for the Aus-EU FTA? www.news.com.au/world/europe...

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Reposted by Devon Whittle

The Australian Productivity Commission @pc.gov.au · 21/08/2026

Out now | The 2026 Trade and Assistance Review shows that budgetary assistance to industry increasingly shifting towards measures targeted at particular industries and sectors.: www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/trad... (1/4)

pc.gov.au

Trade and Assistance Review 2024-25

The Trade and Assistance Review (TAR) contains the PC’s latest estimates of Australian Government assistance to industry, and provides a summary of developments in industry assistance, trade policy an...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Not to mention the ways AI improves/complicates the physical trading of good itself (see @georgeriddell.bsky.social's excellent piece on that here: flint-global.com/blog/frontie...) 3/3

flint-global.com

Frontiers of Trade: AI agents as traders

Flint Global advises international businesses and investors on policy, politics, regulation and competition.

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

PPRs as they use data centre investment to create local industry and support researches; digital trade rules and AI transparency regulations; GATS's application to AI services; subsidy concerns around cheap overseas models. 1/3

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I post more about AI on X (x.com/devonwhittle...) but it also will be interesting to see how Australia navigates the trade implications of its AI policy (and vice versa) both current rules and whether new/amended rules are needed: GP as the govt seeks to create Aussie customers for AI firms, 1/3

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Pretty cool interactive explainer on how AI companies can watermark text. Even has examples showing how the watermark can survive some editing.

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

For those interested in the potential catastrophic risks from AI and what Australia could be doing about it, I was on the Alive to This video series recently discussing exactly that: www.alivetothis.com/episode-cata...

alivetothis.com

Chapter 7. Catastrophic Risk | Alive to This

Devon Whittle, Arnagretta Hunter and Greg Sadler on catastrophic and existential risk: how a technology this powerful could go wrong, and what it asks of us now.

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Great presentation by Jason Schultz at the recent Aus AI Safety Forum on AI and copyright in the US (and very relevant to current debates in Australia) - youtu.be/btAXkG7l7z8?...

youtu.be

AI on Trial: The US Copyright Fights - Jason Schultz | AI Safety Forum 2026

YouTube video by AI Safety Forum

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

New from e61: Taxing robots: the good news and risks about AI and government revenue - e61.in/taxing-robot...

e61.in

Taxing robots: the good news and risks about AI and government revenue – e61 INSTITUTE

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I love my UK colleagues, but this YouTube video gave me flashbacks to trying to understand CDOTs and the other very specific features of the UK’s constitutional arrangements in trade negotiations (and then translating this into treaty text!) youtu.be/W5Y8JwEzuvA?...

youtu.be

How The UK Works 🫠.

YouTube video by Jimmy Rees

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I smiled at this from @slatestarcodex.bsky.social's latest link round-up. It sometimes seems there's a bunch of people who "like doing hard things", except when the hard thing is international cooperation?

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

My AI Safety Forum presentation on AI incident monitoring and reporting is now online. It's something that works for aviation, pharma, consumer goods, etc, why not for AI companies? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoks... (my talk started 5 mins late, so apologies if it seems rushed!)

youtube.com

The Case for Mandatory AI Monitoring & Incident Reporting - Devon Whittle | AI Safety Forum 2026

YouTube video by AI Safety Forum

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Finally, AOTES also has detailed facilitation and response provisions (e.g. to talk to logistics providers during a disruption). PERES doesn't - but some of this may already be covered by SAFTA's existing trade facilitation/customs procedures provisions. 11/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

AOTES has a Scope provision that says it only applies "in the event of a supply chain disruption or an imminent supply chain disruption" and "only to essential supplies traded between the Parties". PERES's doesn't, but doesn't need this given how each article is drafted 10/11.

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

(an aside - PERES Art 2's requirement to give notice of restrictions on exports of essential supplies, says these are done "pursuant to" Art 3. Art 3 only applies to "supply chain disruptions", so that would seem to limit notification of GATT Art XI:2(a) measures) 9/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

PERES's consultation provision (first screenshot) is less detailed than AOTES (other screenshots). PERES also doesn't have the carve-out for SPS and fisheries quota management that AOTES has. 8/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

PERES has a "shall endeavour" obligation to not use Art XI:2(a) to restrict essential supply exports, and an obligation to limit any restriction imposed and notify the other party if a restriction is imposed. 7/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

AOTES says the parties cannot use Art XI:2(a) of the GATT in relation to "essential supplies". Art XI:2(a) allows for export restrictions "to prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodstuffs or other products essential to the exporting contracting party" 6/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

PERES's definition of "supply chain disruption" (image 1) is shorter than AOTES (image 2) (mostly due to examples). Substantive differences are that AOTES applies to services and requires "significant" impact not just impact. PERES also says "as determined by either Party". 5/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Under the AOTES there is a 7 page list of products by HS code (HS-4 with a non-published version at HS-6 digit level), separate for each party. 4/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

PERES's definition of "essential supplies" is "petroleum oils, such as diesel, and liquefied natural gas" and "other goods critical to either Party's economy" as set out in a separate MOU on Essential Supplies (from October 2025, but I can't find a copy online). 3/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Australia formalises its Economic Resilience Dialogue with Singapore, meeting within one year and then as agreed. 2/11

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The text of Aus-Singapore's Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies (PERES) is out (dfat.gov.au/sites/defaul...). Let's see how it compares to the NZ-Singapore AOTES (mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade...) (this is based on a quick review over breakfast, so mistakes possible / likely)... 1/11

dfat.gov.au

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The draft ALP National Platform also contains this paragraph - doesn’t mean the government will do this, but renegotiating LMT waivers across Aus past agreements is a big task! laborconference.org.au/files/2026_A...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Will this help with US s301 forced labour investigation tariffs? ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre...

ministers.ag.gov.au

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Reposted by Devon Whittle

Simon Lester @simonlester.com · 10/07/2026

I suppose there's no chance Australia would file a complaint under the AUSFTA?

static.klipy.com

Ron Swanson's Disappointment Sigh

ALT: Ron Swanson's Disappointment Sigh

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Highlights include: emphasise on AUSFTA applying, Australia has effective framework on forced labour, and the 12.5% tariff is disproportionate and treats us differently to others with similar forced labour regimes such as the UK. 2/2

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I wrote a summary of the new Bill that would require Australia to advocate for certain issues in trade negotiations, prohibit certain outcomes, and create new transparency requirements (subject to a narrow scope...) open.substack.com/pub/tradenot...

open.substack.com

FTAs: Reforms coming to Australia's approach to trade negotiations

Last week, the Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill 2026 (the Bill) was introduced to the Australian Parliament. The Bill is meant to “improve transparency and community input into FTA ...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

As always, @matt_levine's take on the OpenAI 5% offer to the USG is the best take. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/news...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Not much too surprising in DFAT's Trade 2040 Taskforce Report, but the AI section is trying to walk some fine lines between regulation and investment positioning. Also IPEF is still a thing in the Report at least. www.dfat.gov.au/publications...

dfat.gov.au

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Australia's Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill 2026 will reform negotiation of FTAs/BITs. Some interesting design choices, eg scope, it prohibits signing agreements that have ISDS (among other things), and requires independent analysis of agreements. www.dfat.gov.au/news/news/tr...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Also reference to Japan hosting a workshop in July as part of EU and ASEAN co-operation, progress on upgrade negotiations, and that "any further [EU/ASEAN] initiatives, including trade and investment dialogues, will be carried out by consensus of the CPTPP Parties."

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

CPTPP Ministerial Statement: working on Costa Rica's accession instrument, Uruguay's AWG advancing, discussions starting w/ UAE, Philippines and Indonesia, new working group on ROOs, custom admin and trade facilitation (with reference to circumvention). www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) joint ministerial statement on expansion, implementation and co-operation: 26 June 2026

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

IPEF is still a thing: IPEF members (but not the US) discuss response to supply chain disruptions caused by Middle East crisis (although Korea's chairing of the supply chain body is coming to an end so will be interesting to see who takes up the baton) www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffai...

koreatimes.co.kr

IPEF members discuss response to supply chain disruptions caused by Middle East crisis - The Korea Times

Members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) held a virtual meeting Tuesday to discuss the response to global supply chain disruptions cau...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Conclusion of negotiations of ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement announced - signing aimed for November of this year asean2026.gov.ph/post/view/?t...

asean2026.gov.ph

ASEAN 2026 Post

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

CPTPP ISDS dispute with Mexico progresses with claimant Almaden filing Reply, including increase in damage claim to US$2.68 billion static1.squarespace.com/static/5ed92...

static1.squarespace.com

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

IPEF is still a thing - "IPEF members discuss response to supply chain disruptions caused by Middle East crisis" (although only nine members participated) en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2026...

en.yna.co.kr

IPEF members discuss response to supply chain disruptions caused by Middle East crisis | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- Members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) held a vir...

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Singapore-NZ’s Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies is now signed and the text is public: www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/nz-...

mfat.govt.nz

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Devon Whittle @devonwhittle.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The 10th meeting of Chief Negotiators of China's DEPA Accession Working Group met this week in Korea: www-mofcom-gov-cn.translate.goog/xwfb/rcxwfb/...

www-mofcom-gov-cn.translate.goog

中国加入《数字经济伙伴关系协定》（DEPA）工作组举行第十次首席谈判代表会议

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