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Grains Council pushing TTIP negotiators on EU biotech barriers
US Grains Council leaders are pushing Trans Atlantic free trade negotiators to keep the European Union from slowing biotechnology approval
Europe tells US to lay off Brie and get its own cheese names
The European Union wants US food makers to stop using names with historical ties to Europe. But what else would you call, say, Parmesan or Brie?
A Canadian court is allowing Ecuadorians to pursue their long-running pollution suit against Chevron
Last month, a judge ruled that the Ecuadorians can pursue their case against Chevron in Canada.
Debate over proposed global trade agreements
The pros and cons of two trade agreements in the works, TPP and TTIP, from a US perspective.
Leaks confirm fears about Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement
In mid-November, Wikileaks released the secret draft text for the Intellectual Property Rights Chapter of the TPP. Stuart Trew talks about what this leak tells us about the agreement as a whole.
Indonesia could stall trade negotiations
There are fears Indonesia could stall the trade negotiations with Australia because of the diplomatic run-in between Jakarta and Canberra.
Farmers’ strike in Colombia highlights impact of free trade deal on local communities
Radio interview with Julia Duranti, with Witness for Peace. The group works in some of the hardest-hit regions for farmers in Colombia.
Association Agreement between EU and Central America enters into effect after ratification by El Salvador
With the recent ratification by the Salvadorean members of the House of Representatives, the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (EU) will enter into effect on August 1st. The agreement has been strongly rejected by social organizations.
Australian-US alliance a factor in Chinese investment decisions
The growing size and value of China’s investments in Australia makes the case for a bilateral investment treaty increasingly urgent, according to a leading China expert.
Wisconsin group asks Obama to nix Pacific free trade agreement
A Wisconsin advocacy group says the state has lost thousands of jobs due to free trade agreements and is now pressuring President Obama to oppose a new agreement that would take down trade barriers between the United States and countries around the Pacific Rim.
Residents in Panama protest privatization of canal zone as US trade deal nears
next week, a trade deal with Panama will go into effect. Anti-corruption advocates have criticized Panama for providing tax havens for wealthy corporations and its policies have drawn protest from within the country. This week, residents of Colon are under a curfew after protesters hit the streets in response to the government’s plan to privatize land.
Critics decry secrecy, corporate access to Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations
Interview with Ben Beachy, research director with Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, conducted by Scott Harris
Permanent People’s Tribunal will session in Mexico
“Free trade, dirty war, impunity and peoples rights” is the title of the new national chapter of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) that aims to expose “structural violence” in Mexico as a result of the implementation of free trade agreements.
NGOs warn against corporate influence on trade talks
The 11th round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP begins in Melbourne, on Thursday. Civil society groups are warning against allowing corporate influence, to drive the talks with outcomes that may disadvantage the poor and vulnerable in those nations. Interview with Patricia Ranald of AFTINET.
Free trade deal in Asia Pacific could hit labor, environment, public health
This week activists in Southern California are drawing attention to what they call secret negotiations taking place for a free trade deal shaping up in the Asia Pacific region.
Harper’s attempt to quietly sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union
An audio report from a protest against the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in Quebec City
Canada-EU trade agreement a threat to family farms
Terry Boehm, president of Canada’s National Farmers Union, says this agreement is not about trade, it’s about a fundamental restructuring of the role of governments and their ability to act in the public’s interest.
Jordan firm accused of sexual abuse supplied clothes to Sears, Target and others
Since 2007, at least 300 young female employees have been raped and brutalized by Classic managers while sewing clothes for giant retailers, including Hanes, Target, Sears, Macy’s and Land’s End. These garments enter the US duty-free under the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.
A critical look at pending free trade agreements
We sift through the facts and myths of free trade agreements with Laura Carlsen, director of the Americas Program of the Center for International Policy and a columnist for Foreign Policy in Focus.
The Activist Beat
On Labor Day, 500 activists took to the streets of Chicago to speak out against the US free trade agreement with Pacific Rim countries, including Peru, Chile, and Vietnam. Advocates from labor, environmental, public health, and consumer rights groups took part to demand a “Fair Deal or No Deal.”