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Asia & Pacific

Bilateral deal-making involving governments of Asia and the Pacific region.


The people of Asia against free trade: “society endures the trauma of debt”
The struggle against free trade has been strategic for social movements, especially La Via Campesina, which has actually built a proposal for food sovereignty to counter the capitalist free trade model for agriculture.
Turkey eyes comprehensive free trade pacts to boost exports
Free trade talks ongoing with Japan, Thailand and Indonesia in Asia-Pacific region, says trade minister.
Protecting human and environmental rights in international investment agreements
Human rights experts are particularly concerned about the asymmetric nature of the system and a lack of investors’ human rights obligations. Together with high ISDS costs and arbitral awards, they undermine states’ ability to realise economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.
Free trade agreement under preparation between Turkey and Azerbaijan
In March 2021, a preferential trade agreement was approved between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Currently, work is underway on a free trade agreement.
Biden faces hard sell in Asia for anti-China digital trade pact
As the US mulls a digital trade agreement to counter China, it faces a key problem: Many countries in Asia don’t want to join any deal seen as challenging Beijing, whose tech giants are deeply entrenched in the region.
Biden team mulls digital trade deal to counter China in Asia
White House officials are discussing proposals for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies as the administration seeks ways to check China’s influence in the region.
Public hearings to be held over Asean-Canada FTA
Thailand and Asean counterparts are set to rev up discussions with Canada to establish a scope of negotiations for an Asean-Canada free trade agreement (FTA), with the aim to kick off negotiations later this year
Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan mull FTA talks
Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan are exploring the possibility of launching formal negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), among other bilateral arrangements, according to the Kyrgyz embassy in Ankara.
Uzbekistan, Afghanistan to sign preferential trade agreement this year
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan will sign an agreement on preferential trade by the end of the year.
Bilateral trade with Southeast Asia explored
Canada continues to pursue a multi-lateral free trade agreement with Southeast Asian nations, and those involved with negotiations say bilateral deals in the region could lead to larger pacts.

    Links


  • ABAC
    APEC Business Advisory Council is pushing for an FTA among APEC members
  • ASEAN Briefing
    ASEAN Briefing is a platform dedicated to the various and increasing number of trade treaties and agreements throughout the ASEAN region, produced by tax and legal professionals Dezan Shira & Associates.
  • Asia Regional Integration Center
    Database of bilateral and plurilateral FTAs with at least one of Asian Development Bank’s 48 regional members as signatory.
  • Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand FTA
    An Australian government webpage on the Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand FTA negotiations, agreed to end 2004 and begun early 2005.
  • Macau-China FTA
    Official website on the Macau-China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement
  • PANG
    The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) plays the role of the Pacific regional “peoples’ watchdog on trade issues”.