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Why the US struggles against Japan in TPP negotiations
27-Aug-2014 Asia Forum
Historically, outside pressure (gaiatsu) from the United States has been effective in prising open Japanese markets in both bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. Why is it not working now?
EU gives up on TTIP for US reinsurance reform
27-Aug-2014 EurActiv
Negotiators pushing for better US market access for EU reinsurers have abandoned talks over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), recognising the trade deal is unlikely to remove rules forcing the industry to post as much as 100% collateral against their American liabilities.
Singapore signs investment treaties with Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast
27-Aug-2014 Channel News Asia
Both Bilateral Investment Treaties aim to protect investors’ interests from the countries involved, and open up more business and investment opportunities.
S&D Group president Gianni Pittella: "We oppose ISDS mechanism in EU-Canada trade deal"
27-Aug-2014 S&D Group in the EP
The Socialist & Democrat Group in the European Parliament has always opposed the inclusion of the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism in CETA, says their president G. Pitella, and it will be up to the Parliament to decide whether or not to ratify the agreement.
China, ASEAN to negotiate on FTA upgrade
27-Aug-2014 Xinhua
China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed Tuesday to negotiate on upgrading a free trade area (FTA) to ensure that it remained dynamic and commercially relevant.
Signing of India-ASEAN FTA likely via circulation process soon
27-Aug-2014 Economic Times
India, which did not attend the ASEAN ministers meeting this week, will propose a circulation process for signing the India-ASEAN trade pact in services and investments.
Chemical industry using TTIP ‘to attack the precautionary principal’
27-Aug-2014 Chemical Watch
The last 12 months have seen a surge of attacks against the EU’s precautionary principle, with some law firms considering it a potential obstacle to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Registered lobbyists elbow their way back into TPP committees
27-Aug-2014 EFF
New relaxed rules on lobbyists mean that Hollywood will now be able to exercise their influence on US trade policy more than ever.
Plundering the planet: Rigged corporate “free trade partnerships” and “climate change agreements”
27-Aug-2014 Global Research
What do rigged corporate trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Treaty, an international climate agreement to be signed in 2015, have in common?
The corporate free trade project reloaded
27-Aug-2014 TeleSur
Twenty years after NAFTA, the US and EU are making a renewed push for global free trade. But today the South is better able to resist such a project.
FTA benefits elude Kaesong
26-Aug-2014 Korea JoongAng Daily
None of the companies operating in the Kaesong Industrial Complex are eligible for FTA benefits because of sanctions from developed countries against North Korea.
US trade officials give Guatemala more time to install labor overhaul
26-Aug-2014 The Hill
US trade officials on Monday said they would give Guatemala more time to implement a labor rights enforcement plan under CAFTA.
US cheesemakers raise stink over geographic labeling restriction proposals
26-Aug-2014 IBTimes
Gouda, muenster and cheddar cheese are staples at delis and restaurants from New York to Vancouver. But if the final version of a cross-Atlantic trade agreement released earlier this month is approved, Canada will include them on a list of 173 food and beverage products barred from being sold under their common names unless they are produced in Canada or in the European regions for which they are named or commonly associated.
Trade deals from hell
26-Aug-2014 Huffington Post
T-TIP is worse than a distraction. It’s another manifestation of corporate capture of democratic government. As soon as T-TIP is given a decent burial, perhaps we can get on with the business of rebuilding an economy that serves people.
Italy wants to declassify confidential papers on EU-US trade talks
25-Aug-2014 Europe Online
Italy said on Monday it would push for the publication of confidential papers on controversial free trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States, in a bid to increase transparency.
Philippines: TPP technical consultations wrapped up by yearend
25-Aug-2014 Business World
The Philippine government aims to finish technical consultations with member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by the end of the year before it can decide whether the Philippines will participate in the regional free trade agreement, an official said.
Kenya flowers at crossroads over EPAs trade talks
25-Aug-2014 The Standard
A senior Kenyan Government officer who wished not to be named confirmed that Tanzania has been dragging its feet in embracing the new EU trade deal. “This might prompt Kenya to sign the agreement alone," he said.
East Africans seeking to unlock trade talks with European Union
25-Aug-2014 Xinhua
East African countries are scheduled to hold a meeting in September to resolve outstanding issues in order to conclude negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) with EU.
Vietnam, EU expect to finish trade pact in October
25-Aug-2014 Dow Jones Newswires
Vietnam and the European Union are expected to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement in October, officials said Monday.
Palmer’s China comments could scupper trade deal
25-Aug-2014 Crikey
The Abbott government in Australia was close to negotiating a free trade agreement with China. That is, until Clive Palmer got involved.