High-level economic research
and policy analysis.
I have four decades of experience, spanning Senior Economist at the UK Department of Trade & Industry to Chief Economist and Head of the European Trade Practice at Mayer Brown. I decode complex economic, legislative and regulatory challenges to deliver clear, evidence-based strategy and independent policy research.
My work focuses on delivering rigorous, independent research across a wide spectrum of policy issues, impact assessments, and regulatory frameworks.
Whether critiquing economic analyses, advising on international trade and market access or appraising public policy proposals, I bring an analytical precision that cuts through orthodox assumptions and industry jargon.
My evolution into The Artist-Economist (holding an MSc in Economics and an MA in Fine Art) brings a unique dual perspective to this work. Alongside selective research commissions, I provide creative mentoring and executive defamiliarization sessions for leaders, founders, and professionals navigating complex strategic transitions.
Forensic research and strategic economic evidence on trade remedies (anti-dumping/subsidies), WTO compliance, rules of origin, market access, and UK/EU regulatory divergence. (Ranked Lexology Global Elite Thought Leader).
Independent critical evaluation of complex economic impact assessments, unpicking additionality and displacement claims, and researching emerging socio-economic frameworks (local multipliers, wellbeing metrics).
Applying analytical rigour and artistic inquiry to 1-to-1 mentoring for creative professionals, purpose-led founders, and executive leadership teams seeking fresh perspective and defamiliarization.
RESEARCH & BRIEFINGS - Analysis of complex legislation and regulatory frameworks. Preparation of concise summaries and briefings in clear language for business and policy audiences.
DATA & MARKET ANALYSIS - Industry and injury studies. Detailed analysis of trade data and other market indicators. Preparation of data for questionnaires and verifications.
NEGOTIATIONS - Expert analysis of negotiating texts for trade agreements or WTO dispute settlement. Preparation of detailed negotiating positions and strategies.
EVIDENCE - Preparation of expert evidence, reports, and submissions. Independent economic analysis for litigation and regulatory proceedings.
REGULATORY POLICY TRAINING & MENTORING - Specialised briefings and strategic training on regulatory frameworks, alongside bespoke 1-to-1 mentoring and executive defamiliarization sessions focused on human wellbeing and strategic transition.
REGULATIONS - Detailed analysis of regulatory frameworks and legislative proposals. Advice on monitoring, compliance, and drafting of new legislation.
HIGHLIGHTS
Senior Economist in the UK Department of Trade & Industry as Economist during the Uruguay Round of WTO trade negotiations.
Former Chief Economist and Head of EU Trade practice at Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw.
Four decades of advisory experience in trade law and regulatory policy.
Author of Global Anti-Dumping Handbook and numerous articles in academic journals.
Recognised as Global Elite Thought Leader by Lexology
ANTI-DUMPING AND OTHER TRADE REMEDY CASES
For over four decades I have advised governments, industry groups and multinational companies on anti dumping, anti subsidy and safeguard investigations in the UK, EU and internationally. My work has ranged from strategic design of post Brexit trade remedy frameworks to detailed economic evidence in litigation and WTO proceedings. I bring experience from all sides of the system, including government, complainants, exporters and regulators.
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.
OTHER TRADE & MARKET ACCESS WORK
I have been involved in a wide range of WTO disputes and market access matters, advising on the consistency of trade measures with WTO obligations and on strategic positioning in dispute settlement and negotiations. This work has included tariff classification disputes, preference regimes, GSP issues and multilateral trade negotiations. My focus is on combining legal structure with rigorous economic analysis.
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.
CUSTOMS WORK
I advise businesses and governments on customs classification, origin, valuation and preferential trade arrangements. My work includes strategic advice on tariff renegotiations, WTO consistency assessments and dispute proceedings, as well as practical guidance on navigating complex customs frameworks in the context of Brexit and global trade reform.
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
I have prepared economic analysis and expert reports on market definition, competitive effects, pricing and state aid across a range of regulated and industrial sectors. This work has involved advising law firms and corporate clients in regulatory investigations and competition proceedings, including evidence before the UK Competition Commission.
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.
Endorsements
"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 & Maw. Former United States Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative.
"....his in-depth knowledge and breadth of experience on trade remedies is fantastic...I thoroughly recommend him as a consultant "
Dr Laura Cohen MBE, Chief Executive, British Ceramic Confederation and Chair, Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance:
"thanks for all your help and advice.....which has been invaluable... the thoroughness and details in your reports has been astounding"
Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary of Unite the Union and member of MTRA.
Mickey Kantor, Partner at Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw. Former United States Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative.
"Cliff Stevenson combines a worldwide reputation with comprehensive knowledge of the full impact of trade agreements and trade laws."
Dr Laura Cohen MBE, Chief Executive, British Ceramic Confederation and Chair, Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance:
"After the UK voted to leave the EU it needed to set up its own trade remedies system. Cliff has played a key part in this by acting as an expert consultant to the Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance – a broad group of manufacturing trade associations and trade unions. 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. MTRA has acted as a sounding board for the Department as they developed the new UK system at speed. Cliff rapidly and thoroughly analysed their proposals and provided the detailed analysis that supported our coordinated feedback. He supported the Alliance too as a witness in several Select Committee and Bill hearings and many meetings with the Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial teams. The Government amended their own legislation on the Taxation (Cross-border) Trade Act 2018 in response to our work. As the new system becomes established, Cliff has helped us understand what is working well and what can be improved and he’s helped us feed this back to officials and Ministers. 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."
Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary of Unite the Union and member of MTRA.
"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"
Pat Neale, President, EFFTA (European Fluoropolymer Fair Trade Association):
"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."
Dr Bernhard Marcinowski, Central Department, Taxes, Duties and Trade Control, BASF:
"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"
Philip Myers, Public and Government Affairs Director-EU, Pepsico International:
"We are impressed by the quality of the work and the time in which you turned it around."
John Grayston, Grayston & Co, Brussels:
"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."
Iain MacVay, Partner, White & Case:
"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."
Professional Accolades & Recognition
Recognised globally as a leading practitioner in international trade and regulatory advisory.
“...seasoned practitioner with extensive experience of the international trade field.”
Giving evidence to Parliamentary Select Committee on International Trade