HA NOI (VNS) — As the country integrates into the global economy, anti-dumping tariffs will be one of the most effective tools for domestic enterprises to protect their market share, experts said at a conference on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Farmers still concerned that opening of the rice market will endanger their livelihoods.Will South Korea’s plans for a 513% tariff rate on rice pass vetting by World Trade Organization member countries? And will it be enough to protect the country’s imperiled rice market? Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lee Dong-pil addressed the issue at a press conference following the announcement of the 513% rate on Sept. 18. “The South Korean government has the authority to decide the tariff rate,” Lee said.

The Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Regulation No. 7-2014, which requires the placing of its stamps on all imported and locally manufactured cigarettes to demonstrate that excise tax has been paid. Locally manufactured cigarettes, whether for domestic sale or for export, have to carry the stamp by October 1, 2014, this year, while all imported cigarettes must carry a stamp by February 2015.

A top House Democrat on Thursday said negotiations on an Asia-Pacific trade deal still have a long way to go. Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, released a report said the list is long of major outstanding issues within the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks during remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations. He also called for the establishment of an intense bipartisan consultative process with Congress to determine how to address pending issues and shortcomings within the negotiations.

SEOUL, Sept 18 (Reuters) - South Korea has set a rice import tariff at 513 percent from next year as it looks to protect farmers after scrapping a cap on politically sensitive imports of the grain in line with international trade commitments. The World Trade Organization (WTO) will be officially informed of the level by the end of this month and will start a review of the tariff in October, the agriculture, trade and finance ministries said in a joint statement on Thursday.

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Western sanctions against Russia violated the principles of the World Trade Organization and the main way to combat them was to develop the domestic market. At a meeting with senior officials, Putin said Russia had no intention of punishing the West for the sanctions, imposed over Moscow's role in Ukraine, and said instead they had challenged Russia to strengthen its economy, boost competition and spur lending.

WASHINGTON (VNS) — Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh met with US parliamentarians and businesses on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral economic and trade ties with a focus on the acceleration of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). During meetings with Chairman of the US House of Representatives' Committee for Finance Ron Wyden and Chairman of the Senate's Budget Committee David Camp, Deputy PM Ninh said Viet Nam would continue to actively co-ordinate with the US and other parties to conclude TPP negotiations.

MOSCOW (VNS) — Vietnamese seafood products have attracted Russian customers at an international seafood exhibition in Moscow because of high demand, especially for tra fish products.

The United States supports Brunei Darussalam’s involve-ment in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as the Sultanate has been present in the negotiations on the proposed regional free-trade agreement from the beginning. This was stated by the US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Daniel Shields yesterday in an interview session during the launch of the new Burger King branch at Brunei International Airport.

The United States said on Wednesday it will press Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end his blockage of a global trade pact when he visits Washington this month, something that could dampen the mood of a trip aimed at revitalising strategic ties. US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal said India "does itself a discredit" by blocking the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) reached in Bali last year, rekindling a dispute that overshadowed an August 1 meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Modi in the national capital.