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RCEP ministers agree on "key elements" to speed up talks on "mega trade pact"
12-Sep-2017 Xinhua
The economic ministers of 16 Asia-Pacific countries have endorsed a set of "clear key elements" that will guide the negotiations to establish a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
Canada introduces patent term extensions for pharmaceutical patents
12-Sep-2017 Lexology
The new regime has been implemented in order to meet Canada’s obligations under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union
Pakistan, China to hold 8th round of FTA talks next week
12-Sep-2017 Can-India
Pakistan and China will hold the eighth round of their Free Trade Agreement talks in Beijing, with both sides having failed to strike an agreement over the second phase of duty reductions.
THAAD reprisals undermine China FTA
11-Sep-2017 Korea Herald
China has shown no hesitation in disregarding its obligations under the free trade agreement with South Korea to take retaliatory measures against the deployment of a US missile defense system in the peninsula, say Korean media
New study looks at IP and the rise of mega-regional agreements
11-Sep-2017 IP Watch
A substantive new study with contributions from a range of leading thinkers in the field of intellectual property rights delves into the history and future of mega-regional trade agreements and the evolution of IP rights.
Western Sahara trade dispute to be heard in the Court of Justice of the European Union
11-Sep-2017 Lexology
WSCUK argues that the UK was unlawfully allowing products, originating from or processed in Western Sahara, to be imported into the UK under a trade agreement with Morocco.
Hong Kong to sign ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
11-Sep-2017 GB Times
Hong Kong has agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
EU trade agreement threatens human rights in Indonesia
11-Sep-2017 Somo
The trade and investment agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and Indonesia poses serious threats to the human rights situation in Indonesia, according to a new report.
September 10, the International Day of Action against WTO and FTAs
10-Sep-2017 La Via Campesina
Today, La Via Campesina is calling upon social movements and civil society organisations of the world to mobilise and organise our resistances against the World Trade Organisation and free trade agreements, build solidarity alliances and prepare for a worldwide week of action in December, coinciding with the 11th WTO ministerial that is scheduled to take place in Argentina.
White House steps back from ending Korea trade pact
8-Sep-2017 WSJ
After intense resistance from Capitol Hill and business groups, Trump administration tells lawmakers a withdrawal isn’t a priority
Malaysia hopes to upgrade trade deal with US during Najib’s visit
7-Sep-2017 Bernama
“Now without TPPA, we are thinking of having an upgraded version of TIFA with the US, as TIFA is an agreement to go towards the goal of establishing a free-trade agreement at the end,” Second International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said
Indonesia expects to conclude four FTAs in 2017
7-Sep-2017 Jakarta Post
The government is optimistic that it will conclude four bilateral free trade agreements this year: comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) with Australia, the European Free Trade Association and Chile as well as a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Iran.
Singapore and Indonesia to start discussions on new bilateral investment treaty
7-Sep-2017 CNA
Singapore and Indonesia are working towards a new agreement to promote investment in both countries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced
Poland looks to block part of EU, Canada trade deal
7-Sep-2017 Undercurrent News
Poland is looking to block part of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) between the EU and Canada, over concerns for a planned mechanism for resolving disputes.
Sri Lanka to sign FTA with Singapore in October
7-Sep-2017 MENAFN
Sri Lanka is likely to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Singapore in October as the island country looks to attract more foreign investments
Pacific ACP leaders intensify preparations for ACP-EU negotiations
7-Sep-2017 ACP
Heads of Pacific governments are moving forward with groundwork on negotiations for a renewed trading partnership with the European Union, as part of the larger African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States.
The corporate attack on the movement for trade justice
7-Sep-2017 CEO
Corporate lobbies and think tanks have gone on what appears to be a concerted attack against NGOs and other groups opposing new free trade and investment deals. A new report from Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl exposes how big business interests with the most to gain from the trade agreements have been trying to undermine and discredit civil society groups.
CSOs challenge PH trade negotiators: Take Philippines out of RCEP!
7-Sep-2017 People over Profit
Philippine civil society groups and social movements stand together to oppose RCEP
Belgium asks European Court on legality of investment protection in CETA
6-Sep-2017 FOEE
Belgium has requested an opinion from the European Court of Justice on the ’Investment Court System’ included in the EU-Canada trade deal, to determine if the ICS is compatible with the European Treaties
India to offer investment sops to RCEP nations
6-Sep-2017 Live Mint
In a break from past trade pacts, India has agreed to ’ratchet’ and ’MFN-forward’ clauses, providing future domestic policy concessions in investment and services sectors to RCEP members with a five-year gap