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EU-Mercosur trade talks close with key gaps remaining
Negotiators for the European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have concluded two weeks of talks in Brussels on a free trade deal with no clear breakthrough and no formal offers made.
US$22.6 billion of assets of Kazakhstan’s national fund remains frozen
Frozen assets secure a US$520 million award against Republic of Kazakhstan.
South Korea to seek investor protection measures in FTA talks with China
South Korea’s trade ministry said Monday it will seek ways to better protect investor rights from arbitrary regulations when holding talks with China to expand the scope of the two countries’ free trade agreement (FTA) to the service and investment sector.
Auto industry skeptical of Canadian TPP side deal on vehicles with Japan
Auto workers and manufacturers are rejecting assertions by Canada’s trade minister that the country won major access for them into the highly protected Japanese market in the recently rebooted Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Tokyo’s drift towards intellectual property crusader
Japan’s role in RCEP negotiations appears to have been shaped by its participation in the TPP. Japan is now championing for expanded intellectual property right provisions which may block access to affordable medicines
Belt and road initiative: Ominously, Chinese investment in South Asia target control of natural resources
Economic corridors have hardly been as controversial as China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI). It could have avoided controversies if it had proceeded in a consultative fashion like multi-country cross-border corridors.
China agrees to accommodate Pakistan’s concerns on FTA
The demands included those from exporters to provide tariff concessions equivalent to the ASEAN countries.
SL-S’pore FTA sparks investment interest among NZ firms
The recently signed Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement has been able to create a lot of enthusiasm among New Zealand companies operating in Singapore.
Grain exports surging because of free trade deals
Free trade agreement FTA partners purchased half of all exports of feed grains in all forms in 2016-17, according to the US Department of Agriculture trade data and analysis by the US Grains Council.
Mise à niveau : Un rempart contre la disparition des entreprises locales
Depuis la ratification par le Cameroun, le 22 juillet 2014 de l’accord de partenariat économique avec l’Union Européenne les petites et moyennes entreprises camerounaises sont menacées par le spectre de déflagration.
Indonesia strives for completion of RCEP negotiations
Indonesia is committed to accelerating negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Jakarta Post quoted Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita as saying.
What now for economic integration in the Asia-Pacific?
Progress made in TPP negotiations spurred on RCEP talks, which in turn further stimulated TPP efforts. It is thought that the recent consensus on TPP-11 has increased momentum for RCEP countries to reach a deal as well.
Kerala fears zero tariff under RCEP may hit domestic dairy industry
Kerala has raised concern over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement between 16 Asian-Pacific countries on the ground that it would impact the country’s dairy sector.
The emerging global right to investment: Understanding the reasoning behind foreign investor rights
Relying on property and contract law theory, this article shows that the arbitral interpretation of foreign investor rights privileges wealth maximization over propriety.
UNCTAD’s World Investment Reports 1991-2015: 25 years of narratives justifying and balancing foreign investor rights
These reports describe foreign investor rights following a narrative of wealth maximisation by transnational corporations (TNCs), and focus on a TNC-assisted restructuring of host states and local communities.
Mexico to make regional content proposal for autos in NAFTA talks
Mexico will make a proposal for regional content requirements for autos at the next round of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a senior Mexican official said.
Pacific Alliance, associate members advance trade talks, eye new economic opportunities
The talks brought together officials from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore with the Pacific Alliance coalition made up of four Latin American countries – Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
Pakistan-Indonesia: Review process for PTA finalized
Both countries agreed to expand the PTA and opt for a Free Trade Agreement.
‘99,000t deal is on the table’ – parliamentary source
The EU has conceded to increase its beef import quota offer by almost 30,000t in a bid to reach agreement on the much-anticipated Mercosur trade deal, a parliamentary source has claimed.
Reko Diq: Contradictory claims made before PAC about alleged graft
As a National Accountability Bureau inquiry into alleged embezzlement in Reko Diq case remains on hold, various stakeholders made contradictory claims before the Public Accounts Committee about people who could be blamed for any corruption in the deal.