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LNG firm’s $20-billion lawsuit against Canada exposes NAFTA’s toxic legacy
15-Dec-2023 Canada’s National Observer
A company launched a record-breaking NAFTA lawsuit against Canada — confirming the dire threat that investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) poses to bold climate action.
Can existing international agreements on ‘investment facilitation’ advance sustainable development, climate action, and human rights?
1-Dec-2023 CCSI
Terminating investment treaties and withdrawing advance consent to ISDS would allow governments to clear the path from problematic treaties centered on investment protection and ISDS, which in practice benefit unsustainable investment.
Who knew Queensland’s richest man is a foreign investor?
30-Nov-2023 The Australia Institute
Clive Palmer’s controversial legal strategies challenge Australia’s trade agreements and environmental laws, and have profound implications for global climate action.
Malaysia, Indonesia seek allies in EU deforestation row
28-Nov-2023 DW
Malaysia and Indonesia want to bring other Southeast Asian countries on their side amid ongoing disputes with the European Union over environmental and deforestation regulations that are set to take effect in late 2024, with the two nations worried about the regulations’ impact on the region’s agriculture exports.
US, Indo-Pacific partners need to ’recalibrate’ trade talks -USTR’s Bianchi
17-Nov-2023 Reuters
Some countries, including Vietnam and Indonesia, rejected US demands for labor rights standards to be enforced through a dispute settlement system similar to that in the US-Canada-Mexico agreement on trade.
US commerce secretary says closed three ’pillars’ of Indo-Pacific talks
15-Nov-2023 Yahoo
IPEF member countries have agreed on terms of the clean energy pillar and on the anti-corruption chapter.
Exclusive: US, Indonesia to discuss potential for deal on EV minerals
13-Nov-2023 Reuters
Indonesia, which has the world’s biggest nickel ore reserves, in September asked the United States to begin discussions for a trade deal for critical minerals so that exports from the Southeast Asian country can be covered under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
EU-Mercosur: the European Union’s dirty plastic secret
10-Nov-2023 Greenpeace
The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement is could be a disaster for the fight against plastic pollution.
Brazil says EU deforestation rules hamper Mercosur trade deal negotiation
10-Nov-2023 Reuters
Brazilian officials said new legislation enacted by the European Union to ban the import of goods linked to deforestation was complicating negotiations of a trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.
Why this Canadian-owned copper mine is facing fierce opposition in Panama​​
30-Oct-2023 Corporate Knights
First Quantum notified the government of its intent to initiate arbitration under the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement in 2022, during the contract’s negotiation process.
UK at risk of lawsuits if Pacific trade deal not amended, warn civil society organisations and academics
25-Oct-2023 Global Justice Now
The UK faces “huge financial risk” of lawsuits if the Pacific trade deal is not amended, warn civil society organisations and academics in a joint letter published today.
A shadowy corner of international law is threatening climate action, UN expert warns
24-Oct-2023 Inside Climate News
An obscure but far-reaching system allowing corporations to sue governments is being “weaponized” by the fossil fuel and mining industries, according to a new UN report, jeopardizing progress in developing nations.
Ireland must not be subject to anti-democratic ‘corporate courts’ exploitation
24-Oct-2023 DiEM25
There is a coordinated move for EU members to withdraw from the dangerous Energy Charter Treaty but Ireland is refusing to act.
On track for sustainable trade?
2-Oct-2023 AK Wien
The EU-New Zealand trade agreement from a sustainability perspective.
Climate justice in trade: Environment, rights and the palm oil dispute between Indonesia and the European Union
29-Sep-2023 IIED
Novel clauses would fall short of confronting the more fundamental questions raised by trade agreements that promote large-scale monoculture at the expense of nature and local farming systems.
A system of secret arbitration tribunals is undercutting climate action worldwide
28-Sep-2023 DeSmog
A UN expert calls for ending confidential arbitration agreements in development and trade treaties, which are forcing nations to roll back climate, enviro, human rights protections while owing fossil fuel companies billions in damages.
EU-Mercosur FTA: Mercosur’s response to the EU joint instrument (Sep 2023)
19-Sep-2023
Gabriel Resources asks USD 6.5 bln from Romania in gold mine project lawsuit
19-Sep-2023 Romania-Insider
The final amount requested by Gabriel through interest recalculation has doubled, reaching USD 6.5 billion.
Brazil minister says Mercosur reply on trade deal sent to EU, diplomats deny
7-Sep-2023 Reuters
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said the Mercosur bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay has sent the European Union their position on a European addendum to their long-awaited trade agreement.
Nothing to lose but your supply chains: IPEF and the resilience agenda
23-Aug-2023 Ibon International
Trade justice activists slammed the lack of transparency in the IPEF negotiation process. Social movements have showing resistance to demand prioritising labour, climate justice, and human rights over corporate profits in Indo-Pacific trade talks.