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Time to get the RCEP done
31-Aug-2020 Bangkok Post
Ministers from 15 Asia Pacific countries resumed their negotiations to forge the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last Thursday without the participation of India, which walked away from the sprawling free-trade agreement (FTA) last November.
Barrick to fight PNG’s attempt to grant Porgera lease to state-backed miner
28-Aug-2020 Mining.com
Canada’s Barrick Gold said it would challenge the Papua New Guinea government alleged move to grant a 20-year lease for the Porgera gold mine to a state-backed firm.
Wang Yi calls for speedy free trade agreement with Norway
28-Aug-2020 CGTN
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for an acceleration in free trade talks with Norway as he concluded a visit to the country.
Trade secrets: climate breakdown
28-Aug-2020 The Ecologist
New book Trade Secrets is based on a thorough analysis of leaked papers from three years of secretive trade talks, as well as multiple other official documents and sources.
RCEP states make ’significant’ progress in trade talks without India
28-Aug-2020 Japan Times
Ministers from 15 Asia-Pacific countries negotiating a sprawling free trade agreement said they have made “significant progress” toward the signing of the deal in November.
Investor-state disputes arising from COVID-19: balancing public health and corporate wealth
28-Aug-2020 Corrs Chambers Westgarth
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments globally are engaging in a difficult balancing act of protecting public health, mitigating economic damage and avoiding interference with private rights.
Egypt to exempt 600 MERCOSUR-bound export items from customs in September
28-Aug-2020 Daily News Egypt
MERCOSUR agreement supports state’s current trend of increasing exports, opening of new markets, says Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea.
US, China reaffirm commitment to Phase 1 trade deal in phone call
27-Aug-2020 Reuters
Top US and Chinese trade officials reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, which has seen China lagging on its obligations to buy American goods.
Japan and UK to sign equal-to-EU trade deal by September
27-Aug-2020 Nikkei Asian Review
Imports of blue cheese from the UK will be guaranteed a tariff at the same level stipulated in the EU-Japan agreement if the total import amount at the end of the year is below an agreed-to level.
Bridgestone V. Panama
27-Aug-2020 Global Legal Chronicle
The US subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation lost a $20 million plus arbitration claim against the Republic of Panama filed by under the US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.
India-Philippines talks next month can pave the way for FTA: Official
26-Aug-2020 Outlook
India and the Philippines are set to hold talks on economic aspects in September which can pave the way for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
US-Kenya trade and tax developments
26-Aug-2020 Bloomberg
The negotiation of a US-Kenya Free Trade Agreement has spurred interest by prospective US investors, exporters, and importers.The final GILTI, FDII, and BEAT regulations provide the US tax framework for US C corporate investors.
Kuwait- EU trade chief committed to boosting relationship with GCC
26-Aug-2020 MENAFN
The European Union’s Trade Commissioner called for the resumption of the stalled EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Talks on Asian trade megadeal RCEP resume in COVID shadow
26-Aug-2020 Nikkei Asian Review
The trade ministers of participating in talks on an Asia-wide free trade agreement are set to hold an online meeting, hoping to remove the final obstacles to a deal by the end of the year.
Cabinet to consider RCEP pact in October
26-Aug-2020 Bangkok Post
The Commerce Ministry will ask the cabinet for approval to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in October, one month ahead of the pact’s official scheduled signing in Vietnam.
Thailand is not ready for the CPTPP
26-Aug-2020 Bangkok Post
In the foreseeable future, Thailand will be shying away from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The country lacks necessary preparedness and consensus for the high-end free-trade arrangement.
UK could seal Japan trade deal this week despite snag over Liz Truss Stilton demands
25-Aug-2020 PoliticsHome
Britain is still aiming to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with Japan by the end of the month despite Trade Secretary Liz Truss insisting on preferential treatment for Stilton makers in any deal.
Tanzania keen to protect local goods in new trade pact with Britain
25-Aug-2020 The East African
Tanzania is looking to protect its locally-made goods in the trade negotiations with Britain that are underway.
Rwanda pursues two-pronged approach in agreement with UK
25-Aug-2020 The East African
Rwanda has been chairing the EAC negotiations with the UK and is also pursuing a bilateral post-Brexit trade deal with the UK that aims to replicate the European Union’s “Everything but Arms" scheme.
Deadline looms for signing of UK-EAC Brexit trade pact
25-Aug-2020 The East African
With just four months to the expiry of the current agreement, ideological differences among member states are hampering the progress of the bloc’s negotiations.