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Ukraine eyes patent law reform after civil society push on medicines access
2-May-2018 IP Watch
Ukrainian lawmakers are poised to approve sweeping patent reform legislation, driven in large part by a push by patients’ groups for better access to affordable medicines and healthcare.
Charging into UK-US trade pact would be ‘catastrophic error’, warn MPs
2-May-2018 Euractiv
The UK would be making a “catastrophic error” if it charged into talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States without setting out a ‘comprehensive strategy’ for life after the EU, MPs warned in a new report .
EU, Mercosur end trade round with little progress, more blaming - Beef volumes ’agreed’
30-Apr-2018 Independent.ie
The European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have made some progress on how to open their markets to cars, but ended free trade talks in Brussels with finger-pointing about who was holding up a deal.
EU upgrades IPR category of PH in terms of protection, enforcement
30-Apr-2018 Manila Bulletin
Despite serious concerns on copyright piracy, the EU has raised the Philippines’ standing from “bad” to “better” in the area of protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Women’s aspirations & priorities within the post-Cotonou negotiations
28-Apr-2018 FEMNET
Negotiations around post-Cotonou framework must take women’s issues into account and be intentional in allocating financial resources to the realization of women’s economic rights and empowerment.
Drug patent extensions under CETA could cost feds $270M a year: PBO
27-Apr-2018 iPolitics
Extended patent protections under Canada’s free trade deal with the European Union could cost the federal government some $270 million a year, according to a new report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
Civil society letter on the EU/Mercosur Free Trade Deal negotiations
27-Apr-2018 Fern
The EU & Mercosur just resumed negotiations for a trade agreement which would have terrible impacts on forests, local communities and our climate. NGOs call on the EU Commission to prioritise sustainability & human rights over trade.
The EU pursues $15b free trade talks with Australia, but there’s a catch
26-Apr-2018 Sydney Morning Herald
EU’s lead trade negotiator said the agreement would serve a “strategic” purpose by creating a “circle” of allies to remove barriers
Mexico wins ‘cheese war’ over Europe in trade deal
25-Apr-2018 Euractiv
Europe did not gain exclusive rights for Spain’s La Mancha farmers to use Manchego, which has protected geographical status in the EU.
EU’s new trade deal with Mexico promotes CETA-style investors’ rights while ignoring human rights violations by multinationals
25-Apr-2018 TNI
A key feature of the “modernisation” process is the inclusion of a controversial investment protection chapter with the same characteristics as the one recently included in the Canada-EU trade agreement.
Scots call for halt to EU’s Mercosur trade talks
24-Apr-2018 Farmers Weekly
Scottish farm leaders have urged the European Commission to postpone its “reckless” trade negotiations with the Mercosur block of South American countries because of fears over the damage it could inflict on the beef sector.
Why Australia really wants a free trade deal with the EU
24-Apr-2018 SBS
A free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union now looks like a viable prospect, so what’s in it for both parties?
EU trade pact must offer fair deal for farmers, says Turnbull
23-Apr-2018 Sydney Morning Herald
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is setting his sights on a big win for Australian farmers in a far-reaching trade deal with the European Union, insisting that fair access for rural produce is vital to expanding the $99.5 billion trade relationship.
EU, Mexico reach ‘agreement in principle’ on free trade deal
23-Apr-2018 Euractiv
The EU and Mexico have reached an “agreement in principle” to modernise an existing free trade deal, as the Latin American country faces pressure from protectionist measures threatened by US President Donald Trump.
EU and Singapore successfully on Trade and Investment Protection Agreements
20-Apr-2018 New Europe
The European Commission has given the green light to clear an EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements that aim to take bilateral relations to a new level.
EU plans to pitch trade bargain to Trump
19-Apr-2018 Wall Street Journal
Deal would feature lower tariffs on US cars, access to government bidding for Europe, and joint action on China
EU pushes to hasten start of Japan trade deal
18-Apr-2018 Reuters
The European Commission put forward a proposed free-trade agreement with Japan for fast-track approval, hoping to avoid a repeat of the public protests that nearly derailed a trade pact with Canada.
Dozens of NGOs oppose proposed EU watch list on IP rights
18-Apr-2018 IP Watch
A wide-ranging list of international nongovernmental organisations issued a letter to European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström opposing a proposal to establish a “watch list” of countries deemed failing to protect European intellectual property.
Jordan, Turkey to renegotiate suspended FTA
18-Apr-2018 The Jordan Times
Turkish authorities are ready to look into Jordan’s conditions to reactivate the suspended free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah said Tuesday.
New Zealand PM pushes for EU trade deal
17-Apr-2018 Yahoo
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pushed for a "progressive" free-trade agreement with the European Union.