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Beijing plans new mechanism for Belt and Road arbitration
8-Feb-2018 Asia Times
In a proactive move, China has plans under way to provide its own arbitration in any future commercial issues or disputes between the Belt and Road countries. The 68 countries and regions included in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) not only vary in economic strength but also require a stable trade environment with adequate legal safeguards.
Trade deals a major boost for the country, says Mustapa
8-Feb-2018 The Malay Mail Online
Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said, "Malaysia has been an open economy dependent on trade and we have been one of the biggest supporters of free trade."
The rise of China and the fall of the ‘Free Trade’ myth
8-Feb-2018 The New York Times Magazine
China’s economic success lays bare an uncomfortable historical truth: No one who preaches ‘free trade’ really practices it.
EU-Chile trade talks: Commission releases its proposals and reports about progress
7-Feb-2018 European Commission
The negotiating teams covered a broad range of issues such as the facilitation of customs procedures, trade in services, investment, competition, rules of origin, and intellectual property.
EU-Chile FTA: EU proposals (Jan 2018)
7-Feb-2018 European Commission
As released by the European Commission
EU will only make trade deals with nations that ratify Paris climate agreement
7-Feb-2018 Think Progress
The United States would be excluded.
Let’s not do it - Plans to oppose the rebrand of the TPPA
7-Feb-2018 Scoop
Opponents to the rebrand of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will gather at a Wellington event on Thursday 8 February.
Costa Rica seeks to strengthen links with China
7-Feb-2018 Shine
Costa Rica aims to strengthen e-commerce links with China and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
Congolese mines minister mum on whether controversial new code has been made law
7-Feb-2018 Business Day
International mining companies, which include Randgold, Glencore and China Molybdenum, have said they will challenge the new law through international arbitration, and are lobbying Kabila not to sign it.
New EU trade deals would harm consumers, the environment and demorcracy
7-Feb-2018 Foodwatch
The European Union is currently negotiating a series of new free trade agreements that would have a negative impact on consumer rights, environmental standards and democratic principles.
Second round of Korea- US FTA talks
7-Feb-2018 KBS World Radio
After the grueling negotiations, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said that the two sides engaged in intense discussions and there is still a long way to go. Here is Professor Chung In-gyo from the International Trade Department at Inha University to examine the latest FTA talks between South Korea and the US.
United in mixity? The future of the EU common commercial policy in light of the CJEU’s recent case law
7-Feb-2018 EJIL: Talk!
The European Commission reportedly proposed a model for the fast track ratification of trade deals that should be applied for the first time to the new trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
India-EU talks on free trade agreement expected soon
7-Feb-2018 LiveMint
India, EU negotiators met informally for one round of talks on the free trade agreement in November and expert-level contacts were on, EU’s ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said.
Shifting trade winds: US bilateralism & Asia-Pacific economic integration
6-Feb-2018 Asia Society Policy Institute
Certain long-standing provisions of trade agreements, specifically ISDS, are worthy of reconsideration.
Belt and Road and the battle for global investment standards
6-Feb-2018 Asia Times
A new battle is taking shape on the world scene. It sees China and the West compete in affirming their respective investment standards around the globe.
Will Labour let Waitangi Tribunal complete TPPA inquiry
6-Feb-2018 Scoop
Labour promised at Waitangi that it will be accountable to Maori. That promise faces a major test next week, as the Crown responds in the Waitangi Tribunal’s inquiry on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
Nafta in play-the state of play following the sixth round of negotiations
6-Feb-2018 Lexology
The sixth round of the NAFTA 2.0 negotiations concluded on January 29 in Montreal. Some of the key areas covered in this round are summarized.
NAFTA will undermine health unless Canada resists monopolies on medicines
6-Feb-2018 Toronto Star
Time and again, Canadians reaffirm their belief in the basic principle of equitable access to health care for all. But the spirit of this very Canadian principle remains in peril as NAFTA negotiations forge ahead.
Forcing another free trade deal could result in a more divided Europe
6-Feb-2018 Euractiv
As trade officials desperately try to move the long-delayed EU-Mercosur agreement forward, we must stop and consider that this deal is likely to go far beyond the balance of trade, and increase economic, social and political divisions within both continents.
Mozambique joins the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Southern African States
6-Feb-2018 European Commission
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) became the first regional EPA in Africa to be fully operational after its implementation by Mozambique.