bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

bilateralism & multilateralism


e-Commerce free trade agreements, digital chapters and the impact on labour
A comparative analysis of treaty texts and their potential practical implications.
Regional MPs call for greater transparency of RCEP negotiations
As ministers of the member countries of the RCEP meet for final negotiations over the trade agreement this week, regional lawmakers today expressed concern about the lack of parliamentary and public oversight of the deal, as well as its potential human rights impacts.
Trump sights in WTO procurement pact for leverage on UK, EU
By threatening to withdraw from the GPA, the Trump administration can increase its leverage and obtain greater public procurement concessions in bilateral talks with the EU and UK.
Europe to assess whether US-China deal is WTO compatible
The EU will assess whether a US-China deal to roll back some bilateral tariffs in exchange for increased US imports to China is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules.
The US-Japan trade deal could undermine the WTO
If the United States and others following in its footsteps begin to negotiate agreements that cut tariffs on a significantly smaller scope of products, the WTO might confront a gradual erosion of one of its central tenets—most favored nation.
Intellectual property rights in trade – to be rethought?
After two decades of intellectual property regimes in trade agreements, one could have some second thoughts.
ITUC emergency resolution on MC11 disaccreditation
The ITUC General Council adopted an emergency resolution strongly condemning Argentina’s decision to deny accreditation to more than 60 civil society representatives to the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference.
Neoliberal Argentina bans NGOs from WTO summit in last-minute ’unprecedented’ move
"The government may prevent us from coming to Buenos Aires, but they won’t stop us from mobilizing our local communities," said one organizer whose visa was denied.
EU and Canada settle cattle battle at the WTO
The settlement of the dispute at the WTO, which began in 1996, was facilitated by a liberalization of trade under the EU/Canada Comprehensive Economic and Free Trade Agreement (CETA).
How to understand globalization: not nations, but class
The question is often posed whether trade and investment is a zero sum game among nations. South Centre Chief Economist Yilmaz Akyuz says he does not think nations are the correct focus here.
Unpacking trade and investment
Series of 11 fact booklets about global trade policies.
Cargill chief: NAFTA in “good place”
Cargill does not want a lot to change in the North American free trade deal
US renews fight against EU ban on hormone-treated beef
Given the failure of the TTIP talks, the US is reinstating its trade action, according to USTR.
Trade and privacy: complicated bedfellows?
How to achieve data protection-proof free trade agreements?
TPP, WTO and Japan’s rice
At the time of the GATT Uruguay Round Agreement, Japan accepted the import of Minimum Access (MA) rice. This situation will get worse by the additional import quotas set by the TPP.
U.S. financial services text to debut at TiSA round
At the 19th round of Trade in Services talks, U.S. negotiators are expected to introduce language aimed at easing industry concerns over the cross-border transfer of financial services data.
Free to trade?
India is part of many international trade agreements, and continues to negotiate with other agencies and countries.
Les traités de libre-échange sont des armes de destruction massive
De la décolonisation au Tafta
TTIP vs. WTO: Who sets global standards?
TTIP’s ability to create global standards is limited. The agreement may even be detrimental to the promotion of higher social or environmental standards.
The new gold standard? Empirically situating the TPP in the investment treaty universe
The TPP investment chapter offers few truly novel features and is instead heavily influenced by prior American treaty practice.