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Hogan convinces MEPs by toughening up trade stance
1-Oct-2019 Euractiv
Phil Hogan obtained the MEPs’ preliminary approval to become the EU’s next Trade Commissioner, promising a tougher stance towards China to ensure the protection of European values, and environmental principles.
Austria rejects EU-Mercosur trade deal over Amazon fires
19-Sep-2019 Bloomberg
In a decision that’s binding for the government, almost all parties on the parliament’s EU subcommittee voted against the deal with the Mercosur free-trade zone.
Canada will continue trade negotiations with Mercosur, despite the current Amazon policy of Brazil
29-Aug-2019 MercoPress
Canada will continue its trade negotiations with Mercosur, the South American trading bloc that includes Brazil, despite demands to call a halt to the talks until more action is taken to protect the Amazon rainforest.
Slovakia reportedly ready to block the deal between the EU and Latin America
29-Aug-2019 The Slovak Spectator
Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matečná said Brazil’s approach to the Amazon fires is unacceptable.
Lux blocks Mercosur trade deal over Amazon fires
27-Aug-2019 Delano
Luxembourg has joined a small number of countries to oppose signing of the Mercosur agreement in a bid to curb massive burning of the Amazon rainforest.
EU ambassador says Mercosur trade deal unaffected by Amazon wildfires
26-Aug-2019 Euractiv
The trade deal between Europe and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) provides a clear commitment to the Paris Agreement in combatting climate change, the new EU ambassador in Brasilia said.
Brazilian free trade deal ignites fury
26-Aug-2019 News in English.no
Norway and its fellow members of the European Free Trade Association have entered into a free trade agreement with Brazil and several other South American countries.
Ireland could try to block Mercosur trade deal on Amazon concerns - Varadkar
23-Aug-2019 Reuters
Irish Prime Minister has said Dublin will vote against a trade deal between the European Union and South American trade bloc Mercosur unless Brazil takes action to protect the rainforest.
El Salvador’s sugar producers want to keep Taiwan free trade pact
21-Aug-2019 Dialogo Chino
In August 2018, El Salvador followed the Dominican Republic and Panama in switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. But in March 2019, president-elect, cast doubt over whether his government would maintain that status.
Britain should break with Europe on palm oil
19-Aug-2019 Bloomberg
Malaysia’s prime minister says the UK can expect better trade terms with Southeast Asia if it asserts its independence post-Brexit.
EU vs. Indonesia: Is it really a trade war?
17-Aug-2019 DW
The European Union has slapped countervailing tariffs on imports of subsidized biodiesel from Indonesia. The southeast Asian country has threatened to retaliate but experts say counter tariffs could be self-destructive.
EU-Vietnam trade deal shows EU will bend human rights standards if the price is right
17-Aug-2019 ASEAN Today
The new EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA) shows the EU will look past human rights violations to push a trade agenda. But as FTAs with ASEAN states don’t offer the EU the same economic benefits, it’s unlikely the bloc will pen more in the near future.
A Trump-Bolsonaro free-trade agreement is an apocalyptically bad idea
12-Aug-2019 The Hill
A possible free trade agreement between the United States and Brazil will have considerable environmental, climate and human rights risks.
This hard-Brexit cabinet could spell disaster for British farmers
29-Jul-2019 The Guardian
Theresa Villiers’ arrival at Defra is a sign the UK is on course to open its borders to the worst horrors of industrial farming
Corporations have ’hijacked justice’
9-Jul-2019 The Ecologist
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade deal would undermine environmental protections in Asia.
Connecting the dots: Insane trade and climate chaos
19-Jun-2019 Economics of Happiness
The connection between global trade and the climate crisis is clear. Much of global trade is unnecessary and wasteful - and yet, somehow, it continues to be profitable.
Part 1 EU-Mercosur trade deal | the Bolsonaro era
28-May-2019 Arc2020
Unrestricted import of Argentinian beef or Brazilian soya could prove to be not only a major environmental risk, but also politically risky in poor, rural areas of Poland or East Germany.
Global anti-Chevron day objects corporate crimes and impunity
22-May-2019 Tele Sur
Thousands of demonstrators across all five continents have joined the International Anti-Chevron day to peacefully protest and display global crimes committed by the transnational company against human rights and the environment.
Malaysian minister: ‘Palm oil is a deal-braker for EU-ASEAN trade relations’
12-May-2019 Euractiv
Malaysian minister warned that Malaysia would adopt retaliatory measures to penalise European products if the ban goes ahead as planned. Furthermore, the ASEAN will not sign a partnership agreement with the EU unless palm oil is allowed again.
Pressure mounts on EU to curb Brazilian deforestation, human rights abuses
10-May-2019 Mongabay
A new report by more than 20 NGOs is calling on the EU to include provisions in trade agreements now under negotiation, such as the EU/MERCOSOR agreement, that would fully protect forests and indigenous rights.