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Latin America

Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity is unlikely to expand trade
3-Mar-2023 American Action Forum
The APEP seeks to “foster regional economic integration,” but it does not include negotiation objectives on market access to eliminate tariffs, objectives similarly neglected by the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework..
The Biden administration can only achieve its laudable “worker-centered” trade policy for the Americas by fixing the existing US trade deals with most prospective APEP partners and building on solid new foundations
31-Jan-2023 Economic Liberties
For an APEP to deliver gains for the millions of citizens of American nations suffering from past corporate-rigged trade agreements, talks must fix parts of existing pacts that cause ongoing harm.
EU says ‘fully committed’ to Mercosur deal as region comes into focus
26-Oct-2022 Euractiv
The EU is ‘fully committed’ to moving ahead with the stalling Mercosur free-trade deal with the South American bloc and should do so before “other actors intervene,” EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said.
Will Biden’s proposed Latin America deal seek to repair past ‘free trade’ failures?
7-Jul-2022 Public Citizen
President Joe Biden announced the launch of a new economic proposal called the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity to deepen economic ties in the hemisphere.
USTR announces new declaration on good regulatory practices
7-Jul-2022 USTR
Many trade agreements in the Hemisphere, such as the USMCA, MERCOSUR, the Pacific Alliance, as well as other bilateral arrangements, contain provisions on good regulatory practices.
EU-Latin America free trade agreements fuel food crises globally
15-Jun-2022 Newsweek
There is a grave misalignment between how the European Union conducts agricultural policy within and outside its borders. This is particularly evident in its trade relations with Latin America.
Latin American leaders should stand up for people, not corporate profits
10-Jun-2022 Inequality.org
As leaders gather in Los Angeles, a reflection on the past two decades of battles against neoliberalism and for a more just and equitable alternative in the Americas.
ISDS landscape in Latin America for 2022
21-Apr-2022 Kluwer Arbitration Blog
ISDS in Latin America is here to stay. While disputes in sectors such as pensions and telecoms are becoming more common in the region, we expect to see a ripening of COVID-related, tech and energy disputes.
Carlos Vicente: A “man-tree”
25-Mar-2022
GRAIN and bilaterals.org are heartbroken to announce the passing of our brother, comrade and colleague, Carlos Vicente.
‘Turkey’s goal in its relations with Latin America is to deepen cooperation’
20-Jan-2022 YeniSafak
Turkey and Mercosur need to move economic relations further and sign free trade agreements, said Turkish Foreign Minister.
Lessons from the struggle against the FTAA: continental unity to fight free trade
24-Nov-2021 Capire
Grassroots movements from the Americas have accumulated experiences and a history of struggles for sovereignty and integration.
SACU and South America to deepen trade relations
2-Nov-2021 New Era Live
Officials from the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) and the South American-based Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) have reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Chile sees ‘long line’ of nations looking to join digital partnership initiative
15-Oct-2021 bnamericas
Chile sees growing interest from several nations in joining the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, an international treaty brokered last year by the country and fellow APEC members New Zealand and Singapore.
One step forward, two steps back in the struggle against anti-democratic corporate trade rules
26-Jul-2021 Inequality.org
Pakistan is the latest country to reject the system that allows private investors to sue governments in international tribunals. But Ecuador is back-tracking and the lawsuits continue to proliferate.
S. Korea vows to speed up trade talks with Central, South America in 2021
29-Jan-2021 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea’s trade ministry vowed to make more progress in expanding trade pacts with counterparts from Central and South America this year, in line with its efforts to diversify its export portfolio amid the growing protectionism around the globe.
The status of investor-state arbitration in Latin America in 2021
28-Jan-2021 Lexology
Last year saw a wave of cases against Latin American states, driven in particular, but not exclusively, by a large number of claims filed against Peru, Colombia and Mexico. This wave is likely to continue in 2021.
Biden’s top trade official should work to protect governments from the rising number of corporate lawsuits
16-Dec-2020 Inequality.org
In 2020, foreign investors filed at least 51 known cases demanding huge sums from governments struggling to fight a historic pandemic.
Juggling crisis
24-Aug-2020 TNI
Latin America’s battle with COVID-19 hampered by investment arbitration cases.
EU’s “Frugal Five” blocking of recovery plan, anticipates difficulties to finalize accord with Mercosur
20-Jul-2020 MercoPress
The emergence of the so-called “Frugal Five” led by Austria and Netherlands, has blocked so far the European Union recovery plan, with a massive injection of funds, and forebodes hard times to finally reach the implementation of an EU trade agreement with Mercosur.
The remarkable life and legacy of indigenous leader Berta Cáceras
22-Jun-2020 Salon
Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres was a strong voice against free trade and fought for the Lenca people’s right to live on their sacred land.