Consulting | Cliff Stevenson

Specialist consultancy in Brexit, WTO, anti-dumping and market access issues

BIOGRAPHY

Private Practice – For past 17 years freelance economic consultant specialising in economic and legal research, especially anti-dumping and other trade/customs issues (since 2006). Head of the Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw European Trade Practice and Chief Economist in the EU Competition & Trade Group for seven years between 1999 and 2005. Previously Director of MGK Trade Policy Consultants.
Government – Served in the UK Department of Trade & Industry as a senior economic assistant during the Uruguay Round of GATT/WTO trade negotiations. During his time at the DTI he was involved in a review of national UK quotas/VRAs, (machine tools, gloves, hats, cars), a study on UK interests in liberalisation of trade in services (insurance, banking, management consulting), measuring non-tariff barriers, review of EU anti-dumping. Cliff represented the UK at meetings of the GATT, UNCTAD and EU member state meetings in Brussels.
Academic – Cliff Stevenson obtained a BA Economics from Staffordshire University and an MSc Economics from Queen Mary College, University of London. He also lectured in economics for one year at Staffordshire University and University of London (Department of Extra-Mural Studies). Cliff also has an MA Fine Art from the University of Brighton (part time 2013-2015).
Author – He is author of the world’s leading publication on global anti-dumping laws, The Global Anti-Dumping Handbook, and many issues of the Global Trade Protection Report. He is a regular contributor of articles to numerous trade and legal publications. He has now set up his own specialised publishing company Anti-Dumping Publishing.
Commentator – He is often interviewed by the media (e.g. CNN, CNBC) on trade issues and his original research has been featured in the publications such as the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and The Economist.
Artist - Cliff went to art school 2013-15 and obtained an MA in Fine Art. He makes work as an artist and is also interested in exploring the space between business and creativity as the Artist-Economist.

Ranked as a "Global Elite Thought Leader 2022" by Who's Who Legal

SERVICES
International Trade Consulting

trade remedies

Market access
and customs

brexit and uk/eu fta

High level technical consulting services in anti-dumping and subsidy investigations, including dumping calculations and injury/causality studies.
Preparation and presentation of expert evidence
Tailor-made training - we have organised courses in 15 countries.
Having worked on trade remedy matters over the past 30 years for exporters, domestic industry, importers and a number of governments (including the European Commission), vast experience on all sides of the debate.

Assessing WTO consistency of trade barriers
Preparation of arguments and evidence for WTO dispute settlement proceedings.
Advice and strategies for multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations.
Analysis of customs questions such as origin, customs classification and preferential trade agreements.

Brexit policy and legislation.
Issue identification, impact assessments and strategies.
Expert analysis of critical issues
Preparation of positions papers for discussion with government and other interested parties.
Preparation of training programmes for UK industry.

RESEARCH

Analysis of complicated legislation and regulations. Preparation of summaries written in plain language for the non-expert.

data analysis

Industry and injury studies

Analysis of trade data

Market analysis

negotiations

Expert analysis of negotiating texts for trade agreements or WTO dispute settlement. Preparation of detailed negotiating positions and strategies.

regulations

Unique and detailed analysis of regulations or laws. Assistance in monitoring and drafting of new legislation.

EVIDENCE

Preparation of expert evidence, reports and submissions

training

Specialised training on trade remedies and all aspects of trade policy and WTO agreements. Also training on Brexit issues.

ADVICE

Forty years experience of helping many industries. Advice and coaching to start-ups or professionals needing practical help or creative inspiration.

WELLBEING

Mental health and creativity mentoring. Wellbeing programmes for business professionals.

"Cliff has worked with us since 2017 and his in-depth knowledge and breadth of experience on trade remedies is fantastic. We worked closely with Department for International Trade to outline and then supply supported detailed analysis of what is needed in the new system. Cliff rapidly and thoroughly analysed their proposals and provided the detailed analysis that supported our coordinated feedback. As the new system becomes established, Cliff has helped us understand what is working well and what can be improved. Alliance members have benefitted from his training and he has an incredible amount of respect from both the Alliance and regulators. I thoroughly recommend him as a consultant on trade remedies and he is a pleasure to work with."

Dr Laura Cohen MBE , Chief Executive, British Ceramic Confederation and

Chair, Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance

"Global Elite Thought Leader 2022"

Cliff Stevenson is highlighted as “a seasoned practitioner with extensive experience of the international trade field”

Who's Who Legal 2022

“Cliff Stevenson combines a worldwide reputation with comprehensive knowledge of the full impact of trade agreements and trade laws”

Mickey Kantor, Partner at Mayer Brown Rowe and Maw. Former United States Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative.

“We were impressed by the quality of the work and the time in which you turned it around”

Philip Myers, Public and Government Affairs Director – EU, PepsiCo International

"I wanted to take the opportunity to say a personal thanks for all your help and advice in support of the work of the MTRA which has been invaluable. I have enjoyed working with you and the thoroughness and details in your reports has been astounding”

Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary of Unite the Union and member of MTRA.

Cliff Stevenson provides an exceptional knowledge of the economics and policy of international trade combined with a clear business sense of the practicalities of trade matters. When considered along with his knowledge of the internal workings of the Commission, it makes Cliff an invaluable member of any trade team.”

Pat Neale, President, EFFTA (European Fluoropolymer Fair Trade Association)

“Cliff Stevenson has for many years pioneered ways to achieve a more rigourous approach to the use of economic evidence in trade cases. As a dedicated trade specialist and former national official he brings valued skills to bear when representing clients before the Commission.”

John Grayston, Grayston & Co, Brussels

“Having worked with Cliff Stevenson for a decade on various projects, I have come to rely on his discretion and professionalism as well as his exceptional level of expertise in all aspects of international trade policy and economics. Cliff works efficiently and effectively with all aspects of the economics and quantitative aspects of trade matters. He has a deep understanding of the legal context of EU trade cases and contributes to the integration of the legal aspects of cases with the economics and policy context he works on.”

Iain MacVay, Partner, White & Case

“As a business person involved in the practical aspects of anti-dumping for more than 20 years, I have always found Cliff Stevenson’s publications on anti-dumping to be most useful. I was also impressed with the report that he produced for the European Commission in 2005 evaluating EU anti-dumping rules and other trade defence instruments “.

Dr Bernhard Marcinowski, Central Department, Taxes, Duties and Trade Control, BASF.

DETAILED EXPERIENCE

HIGHLIGHTS

Served in UK Department of Trade & Industry as Economist during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations.
30 years in private practice including seven years as Chief Economist and Head of EU Trade practice at Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw.
Past 15 years as expert freelance economic consultant.
Particular specialisation in anti-dumping and other trade defence instruments.
Consultant to Governments including European Commission, UK, Thailand, China and Czech Republic.
Unique perspective – multidisciplinary experience and advanced analytical skills combining economics, law and policy.
Author of Global Anti-Dumping Handbook and numerous articles in academic journals.
Research featured in Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and The Economist etc.
Regularly interviewed on global trade issues on business news channels e.g. CNN, CNBC etc.
Major clients as freelance consultant – Ernst & Young/HVG Law, PWC, Pepsico International, SABIC, Vue Cinemas, Thai Commercial Office, Thai Ministry of Commerce), UK Government (DTI and DFID), Mayer Brown. Gide, Clyde & Co, Zhonglun, Joschum Shore & Trossevin, Eurometaux, CIRFS, British Retail Consortium, UK Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance (MTRA), UK Steel, British Ceramic Confederation, British Glass, Chemical Industries Association, Confederation of Paper Industries, Mineral Products Association, Renewable Transport Fuel Association, GMB Union, Unite the Union, TUC, Agricultural Industries Confederation, CF Fertiliser, Pinsent Masons LLP, European Parliament, Siam Food Products, Ensus, London School of Economics, New Zealand Steel.

OTHER TRADE & MARKET ACCESS WORK

Involved in a number of WTO disputes including Korea & Chile liquor tax, Canada pharmaceutical patents, Thailand H bars, EU/India GSP, Byrd Amendment, and EU bed linen.
Assessment of the WTO consistency of EU import duties on rice and preparation of possible WTO case.
Assessing the WTO consistency of a change in the customs classification of certain types of chicken and advice during WTO dispute settlement proceedings.
Assessment of the extent to which ACP preferences have nullified benefits expected to be received by non-ACP countries
Examining the WTO compatibility of the automatic extension of anti-dumping duties and textiles quotas to new EU Member States as a result of enlargement.
Analysis of share of GSP imports in the context of graduation and special incentive provisions in the EU’s GSP.

ANTI-DUMPING AND OTHER TRADE REMEDY CASES

Expert on UK trade remedy system - Helped to create the Manufacturing Trade Remedy Association (MTRA), a broad group of manufacturing trade associations & trade unions. Worked closely wtih DIT in development of post-Brexit legislation and in meetings with Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial teams.
Assisted UK industries in many of the initial UK Brexit transition reviews 2020 onwards (Welded Tubes, PSC Wire & Stands, Biodiesel (dumping & subsidy), Steel safeguards, Wire Rod, HFP Rebar)
Involvement in many anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations both in the EU and other countries (e.g. South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia).
Analysis of responses to the green paper on EU trade defence instruments for a coalition of EU complainants / petitioners. (2007)
Major study for UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) on the impact of anti-dumping investigations on UK business. (2012)
Major study on risk of EU anti-dumping actions on Chinese clothing products for a group of EU retailers and importers. (2009)
Consultant to European Commission on several projects relating to anti-dumping, including major evaluation of EC trade defence instruments (2005).
Review of Nigerian anti-dumping and countervailing duty policy for UK Department for International Development (DFID) (2012)
Detailed analysis of WTO consistency of various anti-dumping measures (e.g. South African duties on carbonless paper from Belgium, Germany and the UK).
Training courses and handbooks for business (Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Slovak Republic, Romania).
Training courses for anti-dumping officials (India, Thailand, UK).
Two day training course for lawyers and customs experts in Brussels (2015)
Litigation – Expert economic evidence/witness in WTO dispute settlement (footwear), CFI application (salmon) and VAT tribunal (light bulb imports).
Created unique resources for antidumpingpublishing.com. Includes dumping calculation tools, injury submission templates, indexed anti-dumping legislation for all major users and Global Anti-Dumping Manual (over 300 pages). (2014)
Monitoring of global anti-dumping actions through network of AD experts around the globe.

CUSTOMS WORK

Advised companies on issues relating to origin of goods, valuation of products for duty purposes, customs classification, administration of textiles quotas, and rules regarding circumvention of anti-dumping duties.
Advice to UK importer in customs dispute with HMRC re anti-dumping duties and origin of solar panel modules (2016/17)
Major study on the WTO consistency of rice import duties and advice to the Thai Government in their WTO dispute with the EU on the customs classification of salted chicken.
Adviser in numerous re-negotiations of bound tariffs under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994
Project for the European Commission analysing the concept of origin in internationally traded services (during Uruguay Round GATS negotiations).
Provided strategic counselling to multinational companies on maximising the benefit of tariff preferences under free trade agreements and other preferential trading rules.
Detailed advice to various UK companies on Brexit related customs changes (2020-2022)

COMPETITION WORK

Preparation of economic analysis & reports on relevant market, competitive impact of various abuses, pricing in regulated industries and state aid. Sectors include chemicals, satellite capacity, music, mobile telecommunications, housebuilding, IT systems, and cinemas.
Detailed study of relevant markets for satellite telecommunications services.
Analysis of pricing formulas for indirect mobile phone access.
Detailed report on relevant market for parallel imports in pharmaceuticals.
Preparation of evidence of excessive pricing relating to intellectual property rights and music.
Advice and expert report on the impact of international exhaustion of copyright for the UK music industry.
Economic advice to Vue Cinemas in UK Office of Fair Trading and UK Competition Commission investigations. This included presenting evidence before the UK Competition Commission.