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Calls for reform in Thai-Aust trade pact
Thailand faces pressure to open its highly protected dairy and beef markets to Australian exporters under the decades-old Thai-Australia free trade pact.
Malaysia’s stand on TPPA not finalised, says Mustapa
"We will wait for the cost-benefit analysis on the TPPA, which is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, and will then lean on Parliament to determine the country’s participation in it," Malaysia trade minister says.
Vietnamese firms unenthusiastic about FTA with South Korea
While the government hopes the free trade agreement with South Korea will bring benefits to Vietnam, businesses fear it will bring them more losses than gains.
China-Australia FTA - the devil in the detail
While the legal text of the China-Australia FTA (ChAFTA) was signed last week, the investment legal framework will be reviewed within the next three years with a view to commencing negotiations for a comprehensive Investment Chapter to be included in ChAFTA.
Can free trade agreements be consistent with climate change mitigation?
Free trade agreements could elevate the rights of possession of fossil fuel resources above that of mitigating climate change.
Confirmed: Philippines wants to join TPP
The Philippines is committed to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the country’s trade chief confirmed Wednesday morning in the clearest declaration made to date on the issue.
US Congress passes anti-BDS legislation, key trade bill
The so-called trade promotion authority bill passed by Congress requires US negotiators to make the rejection of the BDS campaign a principal trade objective in negotiations with the European Union.
Australian rural real estate agents target Chinese buyers
Rural real estate agents in Australia are taking advantage of the recent free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and China by increasing farm sales to Chinese buyers.
US Senate approves ’fast-track’ trade bill
The US Senate on Wednesday approved a so-called fast-track trade bill that empowers the president to negotiate trade deals, media reported on Thursday.
Parliament’s trade committee to vote on TTIP Monday
The European Parliament on Monday will again struggle to advance the giant EU-US trade deal, after a compromise blew up between the two legislature’s biggest political parties in early June.
Analysis: OceanaGold vs El Salvador: Foreshadowing ’trade’ under the TPP?
The Central American country of El Salvador could be forced to pay US$301 million to Canadian-Australian mining multinational OceanaGold as the two face off in a World Bank investor-state tribunal with proven tendency to favor corporate interests over arguments for protecting national sovereignty, the environment, and human rights.
Cut NHS from trade deal say doctors
Doctors attending the British Medical Association’s (BMA) annual representative meeting in Liverpool have voted overwhelmingly to urge the Government to remove health and social care services from a controversial trade agreement between the EU and US
TPPA: Human rights experts identify human rights risks
Prominent human rights voices in Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement countries have sounded the alarm on Human Rights implications of the agreement.
Canada-EU trade deal would hinder policies to address climate change
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would worsen climate change, explains Brent Patterson.
Free trade agreements ’preferential’ and dangerous, says Productivity Commission
The Productivity Commission has launched a scathing attack on Australia’s latest series of free trade agreements, saying they grant legal rights to foreign investors not available to Australians, expose the government to potentially large unfunded liabilities and add extra costs on businesses attempting to comply with them.
Free trade agreement: Voters oppose China-Australia deal after hearing controversial elements: poll
Voters in marginal seats across four states strongly oppose key aspects of Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China, according to an opinion poll.
Senate gets closer to approving Obama’s Pacific trade deal
President Barack Obama’s Pacific Rim trade pact moved closer to a final US Congress vote, with lawmakers agreeing on Tuesday to limit debate on legislation that would grant Obama authority to speed trade deals through Congress.
Malmström predicts Canadian-EU trade deal by July
EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström said Tuesday the bloc’s pending trade pact with Canada could be done by the end of July, but acknowledged the more controversial EU-US agreement will get pushed to next year.
The EU needs to stop dangerous trade deals
As the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement vote was postponed in the European Parliament on June 10th, the European Union is on the precipice of a major decision.
China to put first its investment treaty with US and other agencies
Talks on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) will be high on the agenda during the upcoming annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) between China and the United States in Washington, D.C. and the two sides could seize the opportunity to finalize the deal before U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office in January 2017, U.S. experts said.